KEY FACTS
Our
Mission:
Our coalition represents large and small businesses
that are vital to California’s economy and that
provide hundreds of thousands of jobs. Our mission
is to be a constructive voice in the process
to implement AB 32 (The Global Warming Solutions
Act) and ensure that the greenhouse gas emission
reductions required under AB 32 are achieved
while maintaining the competitiveness of California
businesses and protecting the interests of consumers
and workers.
AB 32 IG:
Eight Principles
We advocate that AB 32 be implemented consistent
with the following principles:
1. Provide Regulatory Certainty
The Administration and regulators should move
swiftly to ensure that companies understand
the impact of AB 32 on new investments in the
state and receive recognition for energy efficiency
projects that save energy and reduce greenhouse
gas emissions. The regulatory uncertainty that
currently exists under AB 32 threatens new investment
in California.
2. Adopt Policies that Keep Jobs in
California and Achieve Global Emission Reductions
(Leakage)
As AB 32 is implemented, agencies must carefully
evaluate its impact on California companies
to ensure that implementation does not force
companies to leave California or expand elsewhere.
This outcome would transfer the location of
greenhouse emissions rather than actually reduce
them.
3. Use Sound Scientific Methods of
Review
The AB 32 process should be established through
a rigorous, scientifically valid manner subject
to an open process that allows adequate time
for expert review. This is particularly important
in establishing emissions inventories, baselines
and allocations.
4. Impose Only Cost-Effective &
Technologically Feasible Regulations
AB 32 requires that regulations to reduce emissions
must be cost-effective and technologically feasible.
Our coalition strongly supports this directive
because it helps ensure that AB 32 will not
increase costs for consumers, threaten jobs
or make California companies uncompetitive.
5. Promote Innovation and Market-Based
Strategies
Implementation of AB 32 should emphasize policy
choices that promote technological innovation
and the efficiency of market-based strategies
and that include adequate regulatory certainty,
reasonable timelines and permit streamlining.
6. Minimize and Fairly Allocate Compliance
Costs
AB 32 implementation should minimize compliance
costs and administrative fees to protect California
jobs and consumers. Furthermore, the administrative
costs of implementing AB 32 should be borne
equitably across all sectors.
7. Link to Regional and National Climate Policy Initiatives
AB 32 Implementation Group recognizes the need and momentum for other states and countries to adopt climate policies to prevent negative impacts of climate change. We promote policies that will link with regional, national and ultimately global efforts, that will support economic development for all participants, and that avoid unfair burdens on California.
8. Coordinate AB 32 with Existing Air and Environmental Quality Standards
California currently maintains strict air and environmental quality standards. AB 32 goals for maximizing co-benefits and addressing environmental justice should not add new layers of environmental regulations but rather be coordinated with existing regulations to achieve cost-effective and efficient results.
