FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS CONTACTS: Mary Solecki (415) 246-3322, [email protected]; Patrick Mitchell, (703) 276-3266, [email protected].
Nearly 200 California business leaders say lawmakers should pass cap-and-trade – Now
Sacramento (July 14, 2017) – Nearly 200 business leaders and investors, ranging from executives from the state’s biggest technology companies to sole proprietors, today wrote to California lawmakers urging them to pass legislation to extend the state’s landmark cap-and-trade program.
Passing AB 398 and AB 617 would provide much-needed market certainty for the state’s clean energy sector, which now employs nearly 520,000 Californians and has generated more than $45 billion in clean energy investments in the state. The legislature is expected to vote on the two bills on Monday.
“It’s up to California lawmakers to keep our state’s burgeoning clean energy industry and the jobs that come with it growing,” said Mary Solecki, E2’s Western States Advocate. “Especially given the backpeddling on clean energy and climate by the Trump administration, California businesses and investors are desperately seeking clarity on cap-and-trade so they can plan to grow, invest and hire more employees. “
You can read the entire letter from E2 members and supporters here. https://www.e2.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/E2-AB-398-and-AB-617-Sign-On-Letter.pdf
Earlier this year, E2 released a statewide analysis that shows California’s cap-and-trade program and other climate policies have helped create 519,500 clean energy jobs, led to $45.5 billion in clean energy investments and has reduced pollution by an amount equivalent to taking 3.2 million cars off the road. See here for more details, including a breakdown of jobs and economic benefits for every part of the state.
In an opinion piece in Friday’s San Diego Union Tribune, E2 Executive Director Bob Keefe wrote that the decision lawmakers make on Monday about cap-and-trade has deep ramifications for the state’s economy but also for other states and countries that are looking to California to lead on climate and clean energy given the absence of leadership in Washington today.
“State lawmakers would be wise to keep those clean energy jobs and local investments in mind as they consider cap-and-trade legislation,” Keefe wrote. “The world is watching.”
E2 was founded in California in 2000 and today its chapters in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego include business leaders, investors and others who advocate for policies that are good for the economy and good for the environment.
To speak to E2 Western States Advocate Mary Solecki or to E2 members in your area, please contact Mary at [email protected].
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Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) is a national, nonpartisan group of business leaders, investors, and professionals from every sector of the economy who advocate for smart policies that are good for the economy and good for the environment. Our members have founded or funded more than 2,500 companies, created more than 600,000 jobs, and manage more than $100 billion in venture and private equity capital. For more information, see www.e2.org or follow us on Twitter at @e2org.