Comment Log Display

On behalf of the businesses and job creators in the City of South
Gate, we are writing to express our priorities and concerns for the
California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) update to the state’s
climate change law.  We appreciate the opportunity to comment on
the recent efforts of CARB’s Environmental Justice Advisory
Committee (EJAC) workshops.   
Indeed, the Chamber supports reasonable regulations to improve our
air quality, but we strongly believe these regulations must be
cost-effective and provide measurable environmental improvements
that demonstrably justify the cost.   EJAC was created to be a
voice for vulnerable communities and to make recommendations under
the AB 32 Scoping Plan.  

Small businesses are a vital contributor to California’s economy
and make up the largest job-creating sector in the state. 
California already has the cleanest energy and the lowest emitting
industrial facilities in the country.   Small businesses and
low-to-moderate income communities already spend a higher than
average percentage of their budgets on utilities and energy.  
Before EJAC advocates for more costly regulations that could
overburden small businesses and put employees out of work, please
consider the costs, and promote only those that are affordable and
will deliver truly meaningful and measurable air quality benefits
for our communities.

As Environmental Justice Advisory Committee (EJAC) meetings are
taking place in local communities across the State we want to make
certain that our industries are kept in mind and are invited to
attend so that our voices are also heard.  We share the goals of a
clean environment and support achievable policies. We believe that
a portion of revenue that is collected through these policies
should be returned to affected businesses and industries in order
to assist in achieving greenhouse gas emission goals.  We must
ensure that said businesses are not driven out of the State and
help keep California in a competitive business climate. 

We want to work with you to make sure these policies will truly
benefit this community and that we have a balanced approach.
 
Thank you for your consideration of our views and concerns.

Sincerely,

Cheryl Cross
Interim Executive Director
South Gate Chamber of Commerce
3350 Tweedy Blvd.
South Gate, CA 90280
323-567-1203
ccross@southgatecc.org