California’s leading small business organization today endorsed legislation by Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) to combat climate change, clean up air pollution and stimulate innovation and investment to build the clean-energy economy of tomorrow.
Small Business California, on behalf of its network of more than 5,000 employers who represent 3.6 million small businesses in the state, joined in support of SB 350.
“SB 350 will continue to grow California’s climate change leadership position by investing in policies that will improve overall productivity and support job creation,” said Scott Hauge, President of Small Business California. “While heavily subsidized fossil fuel extraction industries will resist these changes and work to influence opposition to these policies, California will continue to prosper by investments directed towards supporting sustainable energy production, transportation and energy efficiency,” Hauge added.
California small businesses have a major stake in seeing the successful development of clean transportation options and power production as well as policies that support affordably managing building operation costs. A UC Berkeley study found that increasing renewable energy generation and improving energy efficiency shields businesses from increasing energy prices.
Small Business California was a leading business organization that supported AB 32, California’s landmark 2006 law. The small business group also supported SB 535 (De León), passed in 2012, which is directing AB 32 cap and trade proceeds toward disadvantaged communities in California and is helping support residents and small businesses in these areas of the state where they would likely otherwise be left behind.
“California’s economy has seen a broad economic benefit created through investments in programs designed to reduce petroleum use and increase renewable energy and energy efficiency,” said Hank Ryan, Founding Board Member of Small Business California. “AB 32 has provided a successful mechanism for addressing emissions reductions that contribute to climate change, a serious threat to our overall economy and to small businesses in particular. SB 350 is the next logical step in California’s progression on clean energy and climate leadership.”
Opponents of SB 350, led by profit-driven oil companies and their lobbyists, have mobilized an aggressive misinformation campaign designed to intimidate lawmakers and diminish public support, even though Californians overwhelmingly support SB 350. Separate the facts from the fiction WSPA’s Car Drivers Alliance has been putting out in recent weeks and visit http://focus.senate.ca.gov/climate/sb350-facts.
For more information on the California Climate Leadership Package visit http://focus.senate.ca.gov/climate.
Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León with Small Business California advocate Lori Kammerer and Small Business California President Scott Hauge.
#ActOnClimate #SB350