State Issues

Energy

Support policies that include coordinating grid management with other Western States.

Support market reform with policies that enable and encourage investments in new generation by utility and non-utility participants in order to assure adequate supply and capacity.
 

SB 1368 Electricity: Emission of Greenhouse Gases (Perata) (April 2006)
 

The Chamber opposes SB 1368 because it prohibits public or private utilities from building or contracting baseload generation unless it meets an emissions standard set by the California Energy Commission. This bill would establish a greenhouse gas emission performance standard, limiting the available power sources to meet California’s energy demands while substantially increasing the price of electricity to consumers and businesses.

Support measures that initiate the full cost recovery for utilities to ensure utilities are fiscally sound and not at risk of bankruptcy.
 

SB 1252 Air pollution, penalties: particulate matter (Florez) (April 2006)
 

The Chamber opposes SB 1252 because it Imposes a fine of up to $25,000 per violation for a discharge of PM10 or PM 2.5 and increases the fine to $50,000 in 2010, driving businesses out of California for these imposed fines. In addition, increasing the penalty when the cause-effect relationship between particulate matter 2.5 and health effects is still unclear is far too premature and unfair to those businesses working towards attainment.

Support measures that invest in new transmission and transmission upgrades.

Support policies that are dedicated to both load reduction and the use of renewable energy.

Support measures that lower the price of energy paid by commercial and industrial customers.
 

Oil Severance Tax (March 2006)
 

The Chamber opposes the Oil Severance Tax because it would establishes a program intended to reduce oil and gasoline use, with research and production incentives for alternative energy, alternative fuel vehicles, energy efficient technologies, and for education and training. The funding will be provided by a tax of 1.5% to 6%, depending on oil price per barrel, on producers of oil extracted in California.

AB 2218 Sales and Use Taxes: Manufacturing Equipment (Torrico) (April 2006)
 

The Chamber supports AB 2218 because it would declare the intent of the Legislature to exempt from those taxes for the gross receipts from the sale or use of manufacturing equipment.

AB 1478 Toxic Chemicals: Release Form (June 2006)
 

The Chamber opposes AB 1478 because it requires particular businesses to report, starting on a specific date, on the annual use and disposal of toxic chemicals.

Contact Kerri Ginis, the Chamber's Government Affairs Manager for more information at (559) 495-4818 or kginis@fresnochamber.com