The CalChamber today tagged AB 2133 (Quirk; D-Hayward) as a job killer based on August 23, 2022 amendments.
“CalChamber supports climate change laws and regulations that are cost-effective, technology-neutral and promote the use of market-based strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said CalChamber President and CEO Jennifer Barrera. “However, AB 2133 does not take any of these into account and will lead to excessive costs, hurt California residents and businesses, and severely damage the State’s economy.”
On August 23, 2022, AB 2133 was gutted and amended to significantly change statewide greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. The amended version of the bill now orders GHG reductions to 55% below the 1990 level by December 31, 2030 which is far more restrictive than the State’s current goal of 40%. The bill is a last minute proposal to dramatically change the state’s climate agenda.
According to a letter sent by CalChamber today to Senator Ben Allen, Chair of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee, the last minute proposal undermines the existing public and transparent process at the California Air Resources Board (CARB), where hundreds of stakeholders have been engaged in a months-long, inclusive Scoping Plan Review.
“At a time when Californians are suffering from high prices and the threat of a recession looms, increasing costs is the wrong approach to take,” said Barrera. “Rushed consideration of this proposal robs everyone of the chance for thoughtful consideration about costs and consequences.”
A copy of CalChamber’s letter can be found here: https://advocacy.calchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/AB-2133-Letter.pdf.
The California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber) is the largest broad-based business advocate to government in California. Membership represents one-quarter of the private sector jobs in California and includes firms of all sizes and companies from every industry within the state. Leveraging our front-line knowledge of laws and regulations, we provide products and services to help businesses comply with both federal and state law. CalChamber, a not-for-profit organization with roots dating to 1890, promotes international trade and investment in order to stimulate California’s economy and create jobs. Please visit our website at www.calchamber.com
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