10,000 Clean Energy Companies in CA At Risk From Prop 23

Cisco, which employs many LGBT folks, says No to Prop 23, and points to research that shows there are 10,000 clean tech companies in innovative California. No wonder then that Valero and dirty oil profiteers want to turn off the green innovation agent that is California. Haven't voted? No on 23 and 26, a related stalking horse on the ballot.

Source: Cisco Blog

Californians know how to invest in the future. Believing in our collective ability to drive towards positive change, Cisco urges Californians to vote No on Prop 23.

For decades, California has led the way when it comes to addressing global warming in the US with a proven track record of not only achieving impressive results, but also stimulating investment in new businesses and technologies creating thousands of new jobs. From California's imposition of stricter-than-federal tailpipe emissions regulations to its global leadership in increasing energy efficiency per unit of GDP growth, Californians know how to address societal challenges in ways that increase economic prosperity. By investing in the future, not living in the past, California can and should do both.

Doing both means that you we look at challenges as opportunities, you evaluate threats by thinking about them differently. Doing both rejects "zero sum" thinking in favor of collaborative decision-making. It is inherently optimistic, as I believe most Californians are. So when some assert that California can not afford to carry through on its climate commitments without losing jobs, I can't help but ponder the possibilities of doing both.

On the ballot in November, Proposition 23 would roll-back California's greenhouse gas law (AB 32), low-carbon fuel standard, and rules requiring utilities to source 33% of their electricity from renewables by 2020.

According to the Pew Charitable Trust, California leads the nation in production of clean, renewable energy and as of 2007, is home to more than 10,000 businesses in the clean energy sector, supporting more than 125,000 jobs. California has been able to attract billions of investment capital in the recent years, which will be negatively affected if Prop 23 passes. Adoption of Prop 23 would jeopardize California's leadership in innovation, create uncertainty among business in California about the state's commitment to build a green economy, compromise capital investment and put clean technology jobs at risk.

Addressing climate change and protecting California's environment are important business and societal priorities; not only affecting our quality of life, but also California's ability to attract and retain clean tech investment and jobs. Government, private industry and individuals are all responsible for safeguarding California's future. Passage of Prop 23 would go against our state's innovative culture of investing for the future, jeopardize our leadership position in attracting clean tech investment, and vacate the possibility of doing both.
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- Kathleen Connell, M.A.