| April 22, 2010 |  |
Earth Day 2010: Dirty Energy Ballot Measure is This Year’s Biggest Threat to California’s Environment
Statement By Dan Kalb, California Policy Manager, Union Of Concerned Scientists
BERKELEY (April 22, 2010) – Californians have much to be grateful for on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day as our state continues to implement its landmark Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32). But while the Golden State trailblazes a path toward a clean energy future, out-of-state oil companies are bankrolling an effort to repeal AB 32 at the ballot box in November.
Below is a statement by Dan Kalb, California policy manager at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).
“On this Earth Day, Californians should celebrate our progress toward implementing our first-in-the-nation clean energy and climate change law. But we cannot be complacent. Wealthy, out-of-state oil companies are already trying to roll back that progress by cynically promoting a perverse dirty energy ballot measure that would effectively repeal the law.
“This dirty energy ballot measure poses this year’s biggest threat to our environment as well as the state’s effort to promote clean technology jobs. Now is the time for bold action, not returning to the failed policies of the last century. Californians should not sign petitions that would qualify this measure for the ballot, and they should vote against it if it does. Now is not the time to waver on our commitment to clean energy. We need to protect California’s environment and economy by opposing the oil industry’s dirty energy ballot measure.”
For more information, see “Studies Contradict Baseless Attacks on AB 32 Job Creation” and “Our Changing Climate,” a report on global warming and California produced by the California Climate Change Center in collaboration with UCS.
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The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.
