First Name: | Rachael |
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Last Name: | O'Brien |
Email Address: | rachael@agcouncil.org |
Affiliation | Ag Council |
Subject | EJAC Community Meetings |
Comment |
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the recent Environmental Justice Advisory Committee community meetings. Ag Council is a member-supported organization advocating for more than 15,000 farmers across California, ranging from farmer-owned businesses to the world’s best-known brands. Ag Council works tirelessly to keep its members productive and competitive, so that agriculture can remain California’s number-one industry and members can continue to produce the highest quality food for the entire world. Ag Council has been participating in the AB 32 implementation process since its inception. We support developing climate change policies that are best for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions yet allows businesses to continue serving our communities and grow. This formula provides the necessary economic and environmental balance for California. The goals of these EJAC community meetings are to hear ideas from the community about how they believe EJAC can best inform ARB in the update of the Scoping Plan for 2030. It is imperative that the true community is accurately being represented and their suggestions are being accounted for. It would be unfortunate if ARB only received predetermined EJAC recommendations and not the true concerns on the individuals in these communities. It is important to note that the EJAC voice is not always the voice of the community and when ARB is developing the update to the Scoping Plan it should take into account that AB 32 is intended to reduce GHG emissions at the least cost and in a technologically feasible manner. Assuring local California communities that our climate change policies will reduce GHG emissions while maintaining local jobs, keeping energy prices low, and providing affordable food will go a long way in continued community support and participation. Local businesses and consumers must be convinced that California’s future climate change policies are implemented in a manner that are fiscally and environmentally analyzed to assure we are receiving the best programs and GHG reductions that are equitable, cost-effective and technologically feasible. California already has the cleanest energy and lowest emitting industrial facilities in the country. Our members already spend a higher than average percentage of their budgets on utilities and energy. A state with lofty environmental co-benefit goals but without jobs, higher energy costs, and increasing food costs will be a state that is doing a disservice to all residents – not only those in disadvantaged communities. Thank you. |
Attachment |
Original File Name:
Date and Time Comment Was Submitted: 2016-08-12 16:52:36 |
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