Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

California's 'Green Jobs' Experiment Isn't Going Well
Wall St. Journal ^ | January 31, 2009

Posted on 01/30/2009 9:16:44 PM PST by Steelfish

JANUARY 31, 2009

California's 'Green Jobs' Experiment Isn't Going Well

By STEPHEN MOORE

Los Angeles

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was all smiles in 2006 when he signed into law the toughest anti-global-warming regulations of any state.

Mr. Schwarzenegger and his green supporters boasted that the regulations would steer California into a prosperous era of green jobs, renewable energy, and technological leadership. Instead, since 2007 -- in anticipation of the new mandates --

California has led the nation in job losses.

The regulations created a cap-and-trade system, similar to proposed federal global-warming measures, by limiting the CO2 that utilities, trucking companies and other businesses can emit, and imposed steep new taxes on companies that exceed the caps.

Since energy is an input in everything that's produced, this will raise the cost of production inside California's borders.

Now, as the Golden State prepares to implement this regulatory scheme, employers are howling. It's become clear to nearly everyone that the plan's backers have underestimated its negative impact and exaggerated the benefits. "We've been sold a false bill of goods," is how Republican Assemblyman Roger Niello, who has been the GOP's point man on environmental issues in the legislature, put it to me.

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Editorial; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: ab32; arnoldlegacy; california; climatechange; economy; globalwarming; greengovernor; greenjobs
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061 next last
To: Steelfish

Liberalism is, simply, evil.


41 posted on 01/31/2009 4:28:08 AM PST by mike-zed
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Steelfish; All

We need to rename the entire process. It is not Environmentalism and it’s proponents are not Environmentalists. There is nothing like private property rights to protect the environment.

We are the true environmentalists.

Green is inaccurate as well. These people are Reds all the way (red = communist, not the new red = conservative or Republican).

These actions should be called Socialism or Environmental Socialism. They get the automatic high ground propounding their job killing myth as if they are the anointed ones. It is sickening and wrong.

The entire movement exists to cause human misery. You should see what these yokels do in the 3rd world.


42 posted on 01/31/2009 5:54:25 AM PST by 1010RD
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kozak

Simply awesome, but how was this broadcast?

I mean it is PBS. The staff must have been at a May Day celebration or at the recent inaugural (what’s the difference?).


43 posted on 01/31/2009 5:58:39 AM PST by 1010RD
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: SierraWasp
Maybe “stupid” is too simplistic but it ain't far from the truth.

Allowing deficits and “earmarks” when the GOP advertised itself as the party of “responsibility” didn't jive with the voters and they did hold the GOP responsible. Add in the mixed messages on global warming, the bailout(the first one) and a slew of other issues which should have been a easy knockout following core principles. Instead we have members who still want to play “Me too” to Democratic strong points.

That's the part of the GOP that's gives it the “nom de plum” Stupid Party.

44 posted on 01/31/2009 9:32:33 AM PST by RedMonqey
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: SierraWasp
There is nothing wrong with hydro or nuclear but both have a large initial expense. The question regarding either is who will pay the bill.

Should taxpayers or rate payers underwright these expense. Traditionally, taxpayers have funded hydro and ratepayers nukes.

If taxpayer funded, who will benefit? Will rate payers enrich service districts or will rates reflect only reasonable maintenance?

If privately funded, will rate payers be subsidized by taxpayers or will the cost be diluted across broad, regulatory regions or will local rate payers simply have to bite the bullet?

45 posted on 01/31/2009 9:34:52 AM PST by Amerigomag
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: 1010RD; Carry_Okie
"The entire movement exists to cause human misery."

It is the malignant movement of communitarianism and using supposed agreived victims, along with sinister subtleties to promote a Pagan sense of phony moral superiority to pre-empt successful, productive American traditons!!!

46 posted on 01/31/2009 11:07:48 AM PST by SierraWasp (The Jim Jones of the 21st Century is now POTUS!!! Premier 0bama the illegitimate!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: Amerigomag; 1010RD; Carry_Okie
Any and all of the ways benefit "the people" in such broad lifestyle ways as to make all the arguing about who benefits from this, or that way and who pays irrelevant and immaterial.

The hydro thing gets all bunged up by water battles over who gets the used water. The nuke thing gets all bunged up by mystical fears reminscent of antiquainted panic producing Pagan belief systems.

None of it matters because every human being on earth benefits from water and power... God bless them one and all!!! (and do the opposite to the Born Again Pagan EnvironMentalists)

47 posted on 01/31/2009 11:21:56 AM PST by SierraWasp (The Jim Jones of the 21st Century is now POTUS!!! Premier 0bama the illegitimate!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: SierraWasp
Any and all of the ways benefit "the people" in such broad lifestyle ways

To that end, if the POTUS is hell bent to give away a trillion dollars, better the shovel ready Auburn project than keeping the good folks of Baltimore, Detroit or Philadelphia in houses they can't afford.

48 posted on 01/31/2009 11:34:54 AM PST by Amerigomag
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: Steelfish

What will Kalifornia think when Jan 1 2010 arrives, and the trucks that deliver their food and other goods cannot cross into Kalifornia to make their deliveries because of the stringent “diesel particle” law goes into effect.

There are lots of Owner/Operators who cannot afford to put another $15-40,000 into “modifications to their trucks.
They have taken a high hit from the cost of fuel for the past 2 years, and they have been prevented from running their trucks for heat/air conditioning when they are sleeping.
Even larger trucking concerns are deciding not to make deliveries into Kalifornia next Jan 1 forward, and since more and more items that Kalifornians use every day——including food—are trucked in, this could be a real popcorn moment for all conservatives.
For those of you in Kalifornia—hang on, it’s going to be a very bumpy ride.


49 posted on 02/01/2009 7:23:48 PM PST by ridesthemiles
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2banana

(through higher electricity bills”

I believe that more than 80% of the electricity that Kalifornia uses originates in other states.

They won’t build their own new plants, and the other states are getting increases in population, and may decide to keep their electricity produced at home.


50 posted on 02/01/2009 7:26:48 PM PST by ridesthemiles
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: A message

A Santa Monica customer I met with today is starting a new business and is incorporating in Nevada because California business laws absolutely stifle and discourage starting businesses in California.”

Based on info I got a couple of years back, you can incorporate in Nevada, but you will still pay all the confiscatory taxes of Kalifornia.

Just because Nevada has no income tax (yet), doesn’t mean he will excape the taxes.
Now- IF he moves to Nevada, and does his business here nd all, he will be free on personal and corp income taxes.
I live in N Nevada, and there are lots of opportunities in NW Nevada, especially in Minden/Gardnerville, where they are working to accomodate new business.
Washoe County (Reno) isn’t so friendly. Storey County is VERY friendly, and there is a new Tahoe-Reno Industrial Complex for light industrial/warehousing/white collar businesses just east of Reno on I-80. Special Interstate on/off ramps built and finished. I understand a SEPARATE Power plant built with private funds feeds this complex.
If he has a business that can stand the move—talk to him.
Storey County is one of the smallest and most aggressive counties in the country for recruiting jobs and businesses.


51 posted on 02/01/2009 7:33:02 PM PST by ridesthemiles
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: truthguy

Here’s what I would do to fix California’s economy.

1. Completely eliminate the California Air Resources Board. These people are the most useless group imaginable. They are a total duplication of the EPA and they cost the state of California Billions both directly and indirectly every year.
2. Build 6 (at least) new Nuclear Power Plants (units). But 2 units at Diablo Canynon. 2 at the Rancho Seca site and 2 new units in the So. CA area. This would create thousands of new jobs-good jobs that would be productive.

Just these two things along would be a good start.”

The Kalifornia Land Use Commission stated last week that there would be no more expansion of existing oil platforms or any new drilling even tho it would bring in BILLIONS to the state because “it would NOT be beneficial to the citizens of Kalifornia”.
How about we get rid of them, also? Total obstructionism.


52 posted on 02/01/2009 7:36:10 PM PST by ridesthemiles
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: RDasher

We are fortunate here in MN to have two nuclear power plants that have help keep our electric rates low for many years.”

That is a plus for Minnesota.
On the other hand:
You have a Muslim elected to Congress, and Al Franken- a total freak -waiting in the wings with massive voter fraud and improper vote counts.
Add to that the regulatory demand that ALL Minnesota school busses ONLY run on bio-diesel, and it jels up at about 10-12 above zero and the schools have to cancel school days...

Well, you get the picture.

Then there is the little matter of the Fed and State government demanding that we get out of our big cars and trucks and drive the 800# Easter Eggs they call a “car” which MIGHT get 40 MPG...
Oh, wait, wait for it, THOSE “cars” cannot get thru more than about 3 inches of SNOW because of their low ground clearance and they are too light and underpowered to get thru the snow.
Sure hope there is enough room in those rubber tired rolling grocery carts for lots of blankets, flares, water and food. Otherwise, I feel a great CSI episode coming into a TV near you.
Snow is going to keep coming to Minnesota—no matter what Gore spews at us.


53 posted on 02/01/2009 7:43:41 PM PST by ridesthemiles
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: aquila48

California may yet be saved.... by Washington, as DUMB’O and his greenies impose the same enviromarxist policies for the whole country”

All I understand from your comment is that the whole country will be equally miserable.


54 posted on 02/01/2009 7:46:00 PM PST by ridesthemiles
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: Amerigomag
I think you'll find, even with relaxed standards, nuclear power still isn't competitive in a free market.

I have a different understanding about nuclear power. Excessive regulation and litigation makes nuclear power expensive. Litigation is more of a factor than regulation. Other countries can build nukes for 1/3 the cost. The fifth branch of government (greens) have stifled development of nuclear power in this country.

55 posted on 02/01/2009 7:48:37 PM PST by businessprofessor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Amerigomag

There is nothing wrong with hydro or nuclear but both have a large initial expense. The question regarding either is who will pay the bill.”

P G & E—Pacific Gas & Electric was in business for years and doing a good job until Grey Davis and the Environazis came along.
There were lawsuits from the enviros and they demanded that P G & E could NOT own the land, own the dams, own the turbines, own the transmission lines, and all of the network that got the power from moving water to your house.

Courts agreed, and made P G & E sell their land and dams all along the western side of the Sierras. Blackouts and greyouts were a daily occurance. Now- another layer of profit center is owning the dams and charging P G & E, and the customer pays more. Still another owns the transmission lines, etc.
The enviros are still demanding that these dams which produce power be torn down-—so the rivers can run free and the fishes can climb to the top of Donner pass if they want to to “spawn”.
All I ever learned about fish and spawning is that they go back to where THEY were born. If they were not born way upriver—they won’t go there.
Meanwhile—no dam= no electricity produced, no water retention for flood protection, no controlled releases which irrigate the millions of acres of farms and ranches in the San Joquin Valley, and which also, provide recreation and fishing while traveling from the dam to the farmer.
Geeeezzz—who knew that those old timers who built the P G & E business into what it was at it’s pre-enviro peak knew so much without a fancy formal education and Al Gore to lead them?????

Millions of dollars of construction being destroyed, flooding imminent ( see 1986 and 1996 in Sacramento area) and no power, and iratic control of irrigation, jeopardizing farmers, ranchers and ordinary citizens food supply???? Delta smelt and swimming pools are more important to the enviros.

Sure sounds like a recipe for disaster to me...


56 posted on 02/01/2009 7:56:57 PM PST by ridesthemiles
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: Amerigomag

To that end, if the POTUS is hell bent to give away a trillion dollars, better the shovel ready Auburn project than keeping the good folks of Baltimore, Detroit or Philadelphia in houses they can’t afford.”

IF you are referring to the dam at Auburn, Kalifornia, is it just about as poorly placed as can be with an earthquake fault there, and they cannot decide whether to make it 480——580-— or 680 feet tall.

All 3 sizes will inundate Sacramento, Yuba City, Marysville, Lincoln and alot of other land that is growing FOOD. It will back up the middle fork of the American River over 33 miles, and if they didn’t learn anything in 1986, when the coffer dam burst and took out 3 bridges, including State Hwy 49 at the confluence of the North Fork and the Middle Fork, going downstream and flooding Yuba City and Marysville, they will never learn.
Businesses and Property owners are STILL waiting for insurance to pay their losses.
Good Luck.


57 posted on 02/01/2009 8:03:35 PM PST by ridesthemiles
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: ridesthemiles

“All I understand from your comment is that the whole country will be equally miserable.”

True, but without the fed imposing the same rules nationwide, California would be even more miserable. Misery loves company.


58 posted on 02/01/2009 8:20:17 PM PST by aquila48
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: truthguy
I would add about 20 more nuke plants over the next 15 years. You can put them near 395 on the back side of the sierras in soCal and put some up north. Or out in the desert past Palm Springs. Would need a canal.

Cluster them together for security, water supply, and employee training. Start a new city nearby or expand an existing one.

59 posted on 02/01/2009 8:25:40 PM PST by nufsed
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: All

“Looking for a Job?”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2136635/posts

*Note: The above link is a regularly updated thread.


60 posted on 02/01/2009 8:26:01 PM PST by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson