OPPOSITION GROWING TO CALIFORNIA’S GLOBAL WARMING LAW

Nearly 2 out of 3 believe California shouldn’t ‘go it alone’ in enacting sweeping regulations

SACRAMENTO – Survey results released today show increasing opposition to California’s landmark global warming legislation that is currently being implemented by the California Air Resources Board.

When initially asked if voters support AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, that aims at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2020, 58 percent of those surveyed were somewhat or strongly in favor of the regulations and 27 percent were somewhat or strongly opposed.

Those in support declined by 5 points over the past year, while those opposed increased by 5 percent.

More importantly, when voters were given more information about the regulation, including both positive and negative messages, opposition to AB 32 increased dramatically to 56 percent, while those who where in favor dropped to just 40 percent. The increase in opposition was based on concerns that the measure will kill jobs, increase costs and further erode the state’s fragile economy.

Similarly, a majority of voters initially support the reduction of carbon in gasoline (low carbon fuel standard). After they hear messages about the economic impacts and costs to consumers and the questionable benefits to the environment, support falls to a minority.

“These survey results show that informed Californians agree that these new regulations will put more hardworking taxpayers out of work,” said Senate Republican Leader-elect Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga). “When voters learn that California’s global warming regulations will kill more jobs and take money out of their pockets they become adamantly opposed to the entire experiment.”

In the Inland Empire the results were even more dramatic. Initially, 52 percent of those polled were in favor, while 31 percent were opposed. After hearing the facts about AB 32, only 25 percent remained in favor, while 70 percent were opposed.

No other state or the federal government is enacting these radical environmental regulations. Californians don’t believe the state should take a “go it alone approach” when it comes to imposing regulations that will impose significant costs on taxpayers and businesses alike during this economic downturn. Of those surveyed, 66 percent agreed that a California-only global warming law doesn’t make sense as it won’t meaningfully reduce global warming worldwide and would impose higher costs and drive jobs out of the state.

The California Air Resources Board is responsible for implementation of AB 32.

“It’s clear that Californians believe any state global warming standards should only be implemented if other states are doing the same,” Senator Dutton continued. “In fact, during a recent hearing California Air Resources Board Chairwoman Mary Nichols even admitted that California should not go it alone.” (Watch Mary Nichols comments)

“These survey results show that we must continue to shed light on the California Air Resources Board as they try to jam through these regulations during a time when this state faces historic unemployment,” Senator Dutton said. “California cannot solve the perceived global warming problem. California cannot save the world.”

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