Russ Steele
Our local lefty blog is pointing with glee to the passage of SB12 which would increase Calfornia's renewable energy porfolio standard to 33 percent (See comments). By 2020 public owned electric utilites will have to buy 33 percent of electrical energy for renewable resources under SB12.
On the other side of the issue, Republican Assemblyman Dan Logue, the sponsor of Proposition 23 and strong opponent of AB 32, held up an 800 page business permit application on the Assembly floor. “We keep passing legislation that destroys jobs and kills business,” said Logue, holding up the inches-thick application. Logue asked colleagues to take a guess at how much more SB 2 would cost ratepayers. “This will cost ratepayers $7 billion in increases,” said Logue, dropping the 800 pages on the floor.
As the pile of paper hit the floor with a loud bang the Democratic Leader felt a small purple cows slide down his leg, and asking Logue to appologize. Which he did. But, Logue continued to make his point, “Four times more businesses are leaving the state than last year,” said Logue. “This body has created hostility for business in California. 120,000 jobs were destroyed by this Legislature last year.”
It is clear that the transition to alternative enegy will increase the cost of energy. Rising enegy prices will force businsses to leave the state, seeking come competitive environments, such as Texas which is recruiting California businesses.
Exit Question: How many states have regulated themselved into prosperity? No really, how many?
