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Comment 64 for Public Input on Cap-and-Trade Auction Proceeds (investmentplan-ws) - 1st Workshop.
First Name: Ron
Last Name: Arteno
Email Address: ArtenoRT@netptc.net
Affiliation: Central Valley Tea Party
Subject: Effects of AB 32 on Agriculture in the Central Valley
Comment:
This is my observation how CARB is crippling California... Symposium, October 18, 2011. Fresno Chamber of Commerce. Hosted by: 29th District Assembly member Linda Halderman, Chair of the Legislative Rural Caucus 30th District Assembly member David Valadao, Member LRC 32nd District Assembly member Shannon Grove, Member LRC Mona Shulman - Pacific Coast Producers, Corporate Compliance and Governance Ben Curti - Dairymen and Director of Land-O- Lakes Advisory Board Marian Balaster - Olan Spices and Vegetables Dorene (Dee Dee) D’Adamo - CARB/ Ag Air Quality Adv. Board. Mona, Ben and Marian talked about the effects and impact of AB 32, California’s Cap and Trade law upon their industry. The common conclusion is all of the C&T Regulations only deal with California and not other states or nations. Modification to their industry is costly with minimal impact upon our Air Quality. C&T is unpredictable to their budgets regarding purchase of carbon credits and corresponding carbon restriction days, usually in summer heat which traps pollution in the Central Valley. Air Alert episodes will be declared during summer when conditions are conducive for ozone formation. When that occurs, the Air District urges residents and businesses to put air-friendly practices into place that may avert an exceedance. The industry has done nearly all it can technologically do to reduce their carbon footprint. Their only resort now is to reduce the production of food. This has been cleverly labeled “Leakage Risk” and CARB, the California Air Resource Board, has dictated levels: high, medium and low. Leakage Risk equates to forced industry shut downs, loss of production, loss of jobs and loss of food, measured in metric tons. The far reaching effect of C&T also will impact the energy production industry, but again, only in California as the cost of energy in the future will sky rocket in an effort to further clean our air. August, 2011 was the first time in recorded history that the San Joaquin Valley air basin did not incur an exceedance for the standard. Exceeding the 1-hour ozone standard triggers federal monetary penalties. Because of a handful of exceedances in 2010, the air basin was assessed a $29 million penalty, which will be paid through fees on Valley businesses and residents. In order to reach attainment and remove a $29 million federal penalty, each of the air basin’s monitoring stations must not exceed the ozone threshold of 125 ppb more than three times in three years. This year was the longest the Valley had gone without exceeding the standard, yet with Clovis exceeding the limits at the very end of the 2011 ozone season, the Valley cannot show attainment until 2013, the district says. This penalty does not recognize the incredible improvements we have made across the board in our air quality. The symposium was also attended by Dorene D’Adamo (Dee Dee) of the California Air Resource Board and AG Air Quality Advisory Board member. She is an environmental lawyer married to a farmer! While she acknowledged the importance of Ag trade in the Central Valley to the world, she believes the global warming concept that mankind can effect global temperature. California is the only state in the nation experimenting with C&T. The point was made about displaced industry moving to China, in which it’s pollution is 4 days away from reaching California. The abandoned industries will move to other states or nations with loss of a multi-Billion dollar industry to California. Ag production will be reduced or even cease and air quality will be minimally impacted. More loss of jobs, less use of natural resources. More poverty and hunger. Mrs. D’Adamo appeared unsympathetic and arrogant to industry concerns. Several in the audience thanked her for her considering high level Leakage Risks which was like a child thanking a parent for not beating them again! The only solution will be legislation that will reverse or slow down AB 32 like the failed 2008 Prop 23 which stopped AB 32 until a 5.5% State unemployment rate was attained for 4 consecutive quarters.
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Date and Time Comment Was Submitted: 2012-06-22 08:14:41
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