Over 60 BC3 Members and Partners gathered to participate in BC3's AB 32 event, hosted by BC3 Member ARUP, at their Mission St. office in San Francisco. The panel of speakers included Susan Frank of the California Business Alliance for a Green Economy, Mike Mielke of Silicon Valley Leadership Group, and Jasmin Ansar of the Union of Concerned Scientists, and was moderated by Wade Crowfoot of the Environmental Defense Fund.  Attendees engaged with the panelists in a discussion of AB 32 legislation, which emphasized the positive impact AB 32 will have in the clean tech, green jobs, renewable energy, and private investment sectors of California's economy. 

The panel shed light on the principles of AB 32 and the many threats to its implementation, such as numerous out-of-state anti-AB 32 smear campaigns and ballot initiatives. Additional remarks noted California's potential for exponential expansion with the implementation of AB 32.  First highlighted was the growth of California's green jobs market, which has grown 10 times faster than the statewide job market.  Attention was also directed to the $2.1 billion in investment capital in 2009 for California's clean technology sector--more than five times the investment capital of our nearest competitor, Massachusetts.

Panelist Jasmin Ansar, an economist with the climate program at the Union of Concerned Scientists,  spoke to many small business'  fear that AB 32 will hit them with a large financial impact, noting that only industries like fossil fuel providers, utilities, and cement factories will be affected and regulated. As a result, businesses it is imperative for business leaders to realize the benefits that California's overall economy would receive through the implementation of AB 32, and establish their position in the fight to mitigate climate change.

Get involved in the fight to protect AB 32!

Stop The Dirty Energy Prop:

http://stopdirtyenergyprop.com/index.php

California Business Alliance for a Green Economy:

http://www.ca-greenbusinessalliance.com/home/

Union of Concerned Scientists: Small Business Brochure

The Economic Effects of AB 32 (Produced by the Brattle Group for UCS)

Stop the Dirty Energy Proposition--What they are saying

Stop the Dirty Energy Proposition--The Proposition's Negative Potential

Stop the Dirty Energy Proposition--Coalition Sign-up Form

The Economic Case for AB 32 (California Business Alliance for a Green Economy)

Bay Area Climate Collaborative

California Green Innovation Index: At a Glance

Clean Energy & Climate Security: Principles for Action (CA Business Alliance for a Green Economy)