RALLY AT STATE CAPITOL EXPOSES CARB SECRECY

With an estimated crowd of over 500, citizens from throughout the state gathered at the steps of the Capitol in Sacramento August 15^th, to oppose the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) enforcement of Cap and Trade.  Even more to point was the outcry to stop the state’s first of its kind Carbon Credit Auction to be implemented by CARB on November 14, 2012.

Tea Party representatives, members of California’s Eagle Forum, representatives from large and small businesses (trucking companies, energy suppliers, farmers, dairy ranchers, etc.) were all on hand to protest from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the hot, noon day sun.  In addition, the attendees heard a dozen well informed speakers from the private sector to the state legislature.  They were also entertained by a skit clearly demonstrating the complicated machinations of the Cap and Trade program that will economically impact California businesses paying the billions of dollars of costs, inevitably passed onto every consumer.

Two Assembly members bemoaned the legislature added language to the 2013 California Budget Bill that specifically exempts CARB from complying with “California’s Sunshine Laws” that require open meetings for conducting state business. Both asked the audience, “If they have nothing to hide, why the secrecy?”

At issue is CARB’s organization with Quebec under the Western Climate Initiative that will oversee the complex carbon credit trading scheme known as Cap and Trade.  In the Spring of 2012, WCI, LLC, was incorporated in the state of Delaware, even though it is a California state entity operating with taxpayer dollars. Why Delaware? The state, unlike California, has no open meeting requirements leaving CARB or WCI no legal obligation to reveal anything to California taxpayers during those meetings.

However, things got a bit ‘sticky’ when it was learned a member from CARB’s elected eleven panel board was also serving on WCI.  That revelation meant disclosure of the meetings then became ‘public-open-door’ meetings.  Hence, the language added to the 2013 budget, was to specifically exempt CARB/WCI meetings from such public disclosure.

The rally was organized by Friends for Saving California Jobs, a coalition of members statewide, who collected thousands of signatures for a petition directed to Governor Brown.  The boxed petitions, delivered to his office immediately following the rally, asked for a delay in the implementation of Cap & Trade until the state’s economy improves and unemployment figures drop for a consecutive 5 years.

There has been no response from the Governor.