This morning’s Los Angeles Times‘ Columnist George Skelton writes about Former U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz’ view on Proposition 23. The following are excerpts from that column:

Shultz states that suspending AB32 “would be a catastrophe.” And he continues, “President Eisenhower – a guy whose credentials on national security you had to respect – said that if we imported more than 20% of the oil we used, we were asking for trouble in national security terms.”

“People are saying, well, [AB32] is a job killer. Undoubedly there will be changes. that’s the idea – to shift away from things that emphasize their dependence on oil….Sonner or later, somehow or other, there’s goign to be a price put on carbon. So everybody running companies … take a deep breath … better start adjusting to it.”

Well said.

[Read the entire column]

[For information on George Skelton]

For more information on Prop 23:

Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs Landmark Legislation to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

CA Air Resources Board Fact Sheet on AB32

Bid to Block AB32 Funded by Big Oil

Climate Experts Oppose Prop 23

From our friends at the LA Times:

California’s clean energy future threatened by federal delays, state officials say … Plans for a massive expansion of clean energy in California are being jeopardized by federal foot-dragging, according to state officials who say that more than 20 nearly shovel-ready solar and wind projects are being held up by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Seven major solar-mirror projects — enough to provide power to 3 million Southern California homes — along with plans for at least a dozen wind-turbine and solar-panel complexes have been cleared or almost cleared by state authorities and the U.S. Department of Interior.

The projects are valued at as much as $30 billion, according to estimates by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s office. [MORE]

Michael Hiltzik: Oil industry is driving force behind Proposition 23′s attack on CA’s new greenhouse gas regulation … If a ballot initiative is known by the company it keeps, we should be just a teeny bit suspicious of Proposition 23, the Nov. 2 measure designed to eviscerate California’s new greenhouse gas regulation.

The driving force behind the initiative is the oil industry, which has contributed more than $2.3 million to getting it passed. The biggest single contributor is San Antonio-based Valero Energy ($1.05 million, according to the latest state campaign disclosures), with San Antonio-based Tesoro Corp. in second place with $525,000.

Other oil firms bring up the rear, including California’s own Occidental Petroleum ($300,000). Then there’s the mysterious Adam Smith Foundation of Missouri, which put up $498,000. This outfit raised all of $5,162.40 in 2009 and ended that year with $109 to its name (according to its federal tax return ). I’d love to know who’s using the group as a front, but it hasn’t been answering its phone. [MORE]

Prop 23 indefinitely suspends AB32, California’s Global Warming Solutions Act. When originally passed in 2006, AB32 set a high bar for American innovation in clean energy technology and created market forces that have directed billions of dollars into new research, new companies, and new jobs.

If passed, the ballot measure would not only suspend California’s cap and trade program, it would also put at least 72 policies in legal limbo, including the state Renewable Portfolio Standard, Energy Efficiency, Green Building, Vehicle Efficiency and Low Carbon Fuel Standard. The investments that are made in CA in these areas are made because CA progressive legislation has certainty and consistency that is needed for long-term commitments that private investors seek.

Nationally, the implementation of AB32 is the seed for a national energy policy – and if suspended, federal legislators will most likely take the cue that their state constituents do not have the commitment needed to push national policy forward.

For more information:

Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs Landmark Legislation to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

CA Air Resources Board Fact Sheet on AB32

Bid to Block AB32 Funded by Big Oil

Climate Experts Oppose Prop 23

The fate of comprehensive energy and climate legislation hangs in the balance as our Senators vacation. A bill containing an economy-wide cap-and-trade program is unlikely to receive the 60 votes necessary to pass the Senate.

Support is growing for a watered-down bill that only regulates electric utilities which may be more palatable to moderate Democrats and Republicans – but probably will not have the economic and energy impact this Country desperately needs. Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) recently endorsed the approach, although utilities have yet to do the same.

Whatever form energy legislation takes, it faces stiff competition for time on the Senate floor. While Majority Leader Reid (D-NV) has indicated that the Senate will work during September, it is unlikely that energy legislation will be considered if not passed before the Senate goes on August recess. When the Senate passed energy reform most recently in 2007, the legislation required 10 days of floor time—20 working days remain.

More news and information on the APA:

NYTimes: Senator Snowe Is Working Quietly to Find ‘Consensus’ on Capping Utility Emissions

Washington Post: Senators predict a climate bill capping emissions only for utilities

Politico.com: Climate forecast hazy as Senators look for direction

The Hill:  Waxman to push carbon limits in conference if Senate falls short

NYTimes:  Obama Gives $2 Billion to Solar Plants

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