Comment Log Display

December 12, 2008
Ms. Mary Nichols
Chair, California Air Resources Board
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
http://www.arb.ca.gov/lispub/comm/bclist.php

Dear Ms. Nichols:
As a small business owner I am very concerned about the current
state of the
economy and my ability to maintain and grow my business.
California already
imposes a number of taxes on businesses and while I think it is
important to protect
the environment it must not come at the expense of the growing the
economy.
Like many small businesses these difficult times force us to make
difficult decisions.
I do not want to lay off workers or reduce salaries or benefits,
but if I am saddled with
higher energy costs, additional taxes and fees I will have to make
some tough
choices.

As you consider the best way to implement California’s climate
change program, I urge you to take into account California’s
struggling small businesses. The proposed
plan your agency has put forth increases taxes, energy costs, fuel
costs, vehicle costs
and building costs, which will all hurt small businesses.
In addition, many of the implementation measures you are
suggesting require billions
of dollars in capital investments and annual operating cost
increases. Many of us
cannot afford the required upfront investments and do not have the
luxury of waiting
several years to see returns on these investments.
I encourage you to adopt a balanced, cost-effective climate change
plan that does
not impose an impossible burden on small businesses and consumers.
By using the
most cost-effective strategies to minimize greenhouse gas
emissions we can reduce
global warming while also protecting California’s companies, jobs
and the economy.
Sincerely,
Ralph Wedge   
President Wedge Roofing Inc.
5 Casa Grande Rd.
Petaluma Ca. 94954