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Environment BLOG |
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Energy Pathways? Let’s Take A Closer Look
By: Thomas Tanton
6.16.2009
California is grappling with a $24.3 billion deficit, record unemployment, and disastrous foreclosure rates. In these conditions, Energy Pathways for the California Economy, a new study sent out last week by Next10, examines the economic impacts of different energy strategies for California. Along the way it manages to sidestep some key questions.
green jobs
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Perpetual Myth
By: Thomas Tanton
6.16.2009
The recent suggestion by some in the Legislature to raise taxes on in state oil production has resurrected, almost Phoenix like, the myth that California gives oil companies a free ride. Writing in the LA Times, Michael Hiltzik writes "The most persistent misconception about Californians is that we hate to raise taxes. The truth is that we adore raising taxes -- as long as someone else is paying, that is." That part is mostly true. Hiltzik counteracts that perception with the 'persistent misconception' that California gives oil companies a free ride on oil production. "The 2006 defeat of Proposition 87, which would have steered the tax proceeds to alternative fuel programs, preserved California's status as the only one of the 22 major oil states to give the industry a free ride. And we're the third-biggest producer in the country."
oil severance
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Environment PUBLICATIONS |
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Taxpayer Cash for Environmental Clunkers
By: Amy Kaleita, Ph.D on 6.16.2009
Earlier this month the House approved a measure that would give consumers up to $4500 to dump their gas guzzlers and buy a newer and more fuel efficient vehicle. Despite widespread support, this “cash for clunkers” program has its problems, and so do other environmental regulations coming out of Washington.
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How Government Botches Biofuels
By: Amy Kaleita, Ph.D on 5.19.2009
Within the last five years, concern over both global climate change and the economic and national security implications of U.S. oil consumption has created an interest in alternate sources of liquid fuel, namely, “biofuels” derived from agricultural crops. What began as an exciting possibility has unfortunately become an example of how well-intentioned but ill-conceived policy can stand in the way of other, perhaps better, ideas.
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Environment PRESS ROOM |
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Cap and Trade: The government’s new pet market
6.29.2009
While most Americans are distracted by the situation in Iran and the vital current healthcare debates, Barack Obama and his friends in Congress are attempting to rush through one of the most draconian realignments of energy policy in the nation’s history. This legislation proposes a cap on carbon emissions with permits that are tradable between companies. Known as “cap and trade,” it’s better described as “cap and tax.”
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Western Climate Initiative: Here’s the rest of the story
By: Thomas Tanton on 6.25.2009
Michael Gibbs, the Governor’s point man on regional climate initiatives, has provided commentary on the Western Climate Initiative and the Capital Panel Discussion held on May 15, arranged at the request of Assemblyman Niello. I was one of the panel members, yet feel I must have been at a different event than the one described by Mr. Gibbs.
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