Climate Change Resources
Climate Change policies, led by implementation of the nation’s first statewide Greenhouse Gas Reduction law, AB 32, has a significant impact on our industry. CBPA is engaged full time on these issues. Here are some key documents and updates:

CEQA Significance Thresholds for Greenhouse Gases

CBPA has led an effort to draft comments and assemble a large coalition of business and industry groups to help provide guidance to the ARB proceeding to set thresholds of significances.

The coalition recommends against the adoption of a straight numeric threshold. Additionally, we advise for the need of development of performance standards that recognize the divergent businesses in this state and problems associated with a pro forma model approach.

AB 32 Economic Analysis Blasted by State’s Own Peer Review Team

The independent economic “peer review” team assembled by the Air Resources Board to analyze the AB 32 Regulatory Plan has concluded that the state has intentionally skewed analysis of the economic effects of the climate change plan to show positive outcomes

The state’s analysis found a net increase in gross state product and individual earnings due to the proposed climate change policies through 2020.

However, all six economists on the review panel found the analysis flawed. Several stated they believe the state cherry-picked data to improve the plan’s arguments for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This independent economic analysis supports arguments and concerns that CBPA and other business and taxpayer groups have been expressing throughout the regulatory process.

 

AB 32 Scoping Plan Blasted by California Legislative Analyst

Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines (R-Clovis) and Assemblymember Roger Niello (R-Sacramento) asked the independent California Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) to report on the draft scoping plan of the Air Resources Board (CARB) for implementation of the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (better known as AB 32).

The LAO’s report on the AB 32 Scoping Plan is highly critical of almost every aspect of the plan. Here is a summary of the LAO’s conclusions:

“We conclude that (1) the scoping plan’s overall emissions reductions and purported net economic benefit are highly reliant on one measure—the Pavley regulations, (2) the plan’s evaluation of the costs and savings of some recommended measures is inconsistent and incomplete, (3) Macroeconomic modeling results show a slight net economic benefit to the plan, but ARB failed to demonstrate the analytical rigor of its findings, (4) economic analysis played a limited role in development of scoping plan, and (5) despite its prediction of eventual net economic benefit, the scoping plan fails to lay out an investment pathway to reach its goals for GHG emissions levels in 2020”

The LAO’s conclusions support the many issues and concerns raised by CBPA and many other business and taxpayer groups.

 

AB 32 Scoping Plan

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has released the next version of state’s historic greenhouse gas regulations. Known as “the AB 32 Scoping Plan” this document points to the future of how we do business in California. CBPA previously submitted a 12 page comment letter to CARB regarding the Draft Scoping Plan (including the appendices and economic analysis). The relevant documents are listed below:

 

AB 32 Scoping Comments

The AB 32 Draft Scoping Plan / Appendices / and Economic Analysis has been out for public review and comment. These documents contain the details for plans to implement the landmark law, which mandates that California reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels.

CBPA solicited and collected comments from a broad array of members. Comments have been compiled and submitted to ARB on behalf of our industry.