THE THREAT OF PROP 23

Proposition 23 Threatens Our Health, Our Jobs
Ian Kim, September 21, 2010 (Asian Week)

"…[S]pecial interests are trying to hijack California’s state ballot to enrich themselves…[T]wo large Texas oil companies [are pushing] Prop. 23…[and it] is a direct threat to [Asian Pacific Americans’] health and our jobs…Valero Energy and Tesoro Corp., the Texas oil giants behind Prop. 23, have already spent nearly $8 million and are expected to spend millions – maybe tens of millions – more…They claim they’re doing this to protect California jobs…Do they really expect us to believe that a group of big oil companies…are spending millions of dollars on a California ballot campaign out of the goodness of their hearts?

"Prop. 23 will block a landmark clean energy law in California, keeping us addicted to oil and other dirty energy sources…[T]hat means more pollution and more asthma and other lung diseases. And…it won’t save jobs – it will kill them…Studies have found a clear link between the air pollution caused by dirty energy and higher rates of respiratory illness. That’s why health organizations…oppose Prop. 23."

Multiple studies, like this one, show climate policies like AB32 boost growth. (click to enlarge)

"Asian and Pacific Islanders face particular challenges when it comes to health…[T]wo thirds of Asian Pacific American children live in areas that fail to meet federal clean-air standards…[I]n California…Asians are the only racial group for whom the leading cause of death is cancer, with higher cancer death rates than any other group…[Prop 23 is] a dirty energy policy that will keep our kids breathing polluted air…[and] though it’s being sold as a mere “pause” in implementation of our state’s clean energy policy…Prop. 23 sets the bar so high that it would essentially be a permanent repeal.

"…[T]he oil companies…whole central claim, that Prop. 23 will save jobs, simply isn’t true…The clean energy economy is growing faster in California than any other state, mainly thanks to the very same clean energy law Prop. 23 seeks to block, known as the Global Warming Solutions Act or AB 32."

AB 32 would cut pollution; Prop 23 would allow it to grow, worsening health and adding to health costs. (click to enlarge)

"For businesses that want to retrofit homes for energy efficiency, make solar panels or build electric cars, the law has provided assurance that there will be a growing market for their products and services…[They have created] over 500,000 new jobs…[and] clean-tech investment in California has skyrocketed, surpassing all other states combined. This is the only sector of our economy that steadily gained jobs during the recession…

"…[T]he proponents of this dirty energy initiative are so shameless that they’ve continued citing a UC Berkeley study as “proof” that AB 32 threatens millions of jobs, even after the authors of the study wrote in the Los Angeles Times that their report “says no such thing.” In fact, the researchers added, our clean energy law “will have a small but positive effect on the state’s jobs.” …The Texas oil companies don’t care about jobs; they just want to protect their profits…Don’t be fooled by the lies. Vote NO on 23."