State Sen. Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar) has argued that the bill’s requirements should be suspended to protect businesses from the added expenses required to meet stricter emissions standards. Unnecessary expenses could prevent new jobs and growth in the private sector and perhaps push businesses out of California, Huff said, citing the legislative analyst’s letter.
Huff introduced a bill that would prevent some regulations from taking effect without first being considered by the Legislature.
The bill would also prevent new restrictions from the California Energy Commission from going into effect until the unemployment rate falls below 5.1% for three consecutive months.
California’s unemployment rate was 12.5% in January.
But while the short-term employment impacts of AB 32 may be negative, the requirements for more power to be obtained from renewable sources and the demand for industry growth because of the regulations will likely create 120,000 jobs by 2020, according to the legislative analyst.
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Reps. react to FEMA declaration
The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a disaster declaration Monday for California, responding to storms that triggered debris flows and damaged homes in the foothills.
The declaration will ensure that California is reimbursed for disaster relief operations at a time of financial strains for the state, said area members of Congress, who applauded the move.
“As disasters occur it so often is seen as a one-time event, but I mean having endured the worst fire in the history of Los Angeles [County], the aftermath is something that is going to last for a period of time,” said Rep. David Dreier (R-San Dimas).
