Ed Duffek (NorCal Patriots Truth in Science Committee)
Most CA residents (voters) do not know a thing about CARB.
If we tell them that it is a cabinet-level state agency with unlimited regulatory powers, they probably think we’re kidding.
Established in 1967, CARB consists of 11 board members and over 1000 employees, all unelected and unaccountable. CA is the only state permitted to have such an agency since it was formed before the passage of the Federal Clean Air Act by the Nixon administration in 1970.
CARB has an extensive web site (at arb.ca.gov) that attempts to justify the massive tangle of regulations, implementations and deadlines. One noticeable defect (which may be typical of government work) is the absence of explanations or justifications that would help a citizen understand what is coming our way. For example, carbon dioxide has been ruled a toxin and many rules and penalties based on the amount involved in a process or industry. Comes to mind, what definition or standard is used in declaring CO2 a toxin, and how is this measured? Who is the prevailing authority? Same complaint applies to many other aspects of this law.
Meantime, they claim (without providing verification) that AB 32 has actually produced cleaner air, provided jobs, saved costs, etc. By the way, any criticism or challenge is summarily condemned as “myth” or the work of the “evil corporate enemies.”
Here’s a short list of contrary facts to ponder about AB 32:
° Sacramento State University reports than estimate of $3734 per year per family due strictly to this bill;
° CARB has admitted that CA alone cannot have an input on reducing global warming and CO2 emissions;
° US EPA acknowledges that US action alone will not impact the world CO2 levels;
° US EPA (11 July 2010) said that bills in Congress will not reduce the total use of gas and oil of 20 million gallons per day for decades;
° LAO (CA Legislative Analyst Office) stated: CA economy at large will be adversely affected by implementation of climate-related policies that are not in place elsewhere. (Letter to Dan Logue, 13 May 2010)
My conclusion, all things considered, is that in the absence of clear, understandable and referenced justifications by regulators, we shall be duped again by the arrogance, heavy-handedness and power of our state government.
Please let’s shelf AB32 by voting YES on Prop 23.
