Oil company initiative qualifies for California ballot

[TomCADem]

Source: LA Times

An oil industry measure to postpone enforcement of California’s 2006 global warming law qualified for the November ballot Tuesday, setting up what promises to be a nationally watched struggle over the future of renewable energy.

The initiative, launched six months ago by Texas oil giants Valero Energy Inc. and Tesoro Corp., comes as the oil industry has fallen under intense scrutiny in the wake of the gulf oil spill disaster.

California’s law, by limiting greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles, oil refineries and other industries, has already begun to create a huge market for solar, wind and other clean energy sources in the nation’s most populous state -- an effort that could falter if the initiative passes.

* * *

Proponents are calling their measure “The California Jobs Initiative” and painting the climate law as “an energy tax.” The initiative would halt enforcement of the law until unemployment in the state, now over 12%, sinks to 5.5% for at least a year.


Read more: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2010/06/gulf-oil-spill-ab-32.html

---

In the wake of the BP Oil disaster, in California, oil companies are spending millions of dollars to get California voters to overturn California laws designed to promote renewable energy sources. Of course, with millions of dollars, and unfettered by the Citizens United decision, oil companies will be able to outspend opponents of the measure. In a low turnout election, oil companies may be able to get Californians to essentially vote to protect the oil industry's energy monopoly.

Former E-Bay CEO and candidate for Governor, Meg Whitman, has already expressed her opposition AB 38, which is the law that the oil companies are trying to overturn, so perhaps the oil companies can ride her coat ails into a California constitutionally protected monopoly on energy.

[msongs]

1. "the oil spill initiative" - sponsored by big oil - there's your ad nt

[Rage for Order]

2. Unfortunately, I think California will lose this one

I think the Commerce Clause in the US Constitution will take precedence.

[Merlot]

3. Californians voted down the Edison and Mercury initiatives

in spite of both those giants having major ad campaigns. I doubt many here in CA will be willing to vote for an oil company initiative.