2/8/2010 - Dutton Seeks Independent Review of State Air Board Actions

Dutton Seeks Independent

Review of State Air Board Actions

SACRAMENTO – To help protect jobs, Senate Republican Leader-elect Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) has introduced Senate Bill 960, a measure that requires the non-partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office to review regulations imposed by the California Air Resources Board.

 Under the legislation introduced by Senator Dutton, the LAO would determine the cost effectiveness and feasibility of implementing new regulations that have a cost of $10 million or more.

 “It’s become clear to me that CARB is out-of-control and is killing jobs by imposing regulations that are not only costly, but unproven,” Senator Dutton said. “This measure will give us an idea of what these regulations cost private business, how many jobs they might destroy and if the regulations are even feasible.”

 Several times over the last several years Senator Dutton has sounded the alarm over CARB’s job killing regulations and questionable economic estimates.

 For example, CARB estimated that it would cost $250 million for all cement plants in California to comply with the implementation of AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act. In reality, the cost to just one company alone (CalPortland Cement) will be $202 million to implement the highly flawed regulations. As a result of these new costs, in addition to the downturn in the economy, CalPortland ceased their cement producing operations at their Colton facility.

 In addition, CARB estimated the cost of implementing newly imposed off-road diesel regulations to be $3.4 billion, but the Construction Industry Air Quality Coalition indicates the actual costs will be about four times greater at nearly $13 billion. Senator Dutton and leaders in their industry say the new regulations will force thousands of truckers out of business and continue to damage an already fragile California economy where unemployment stands at 12.4 percent.

 “SB 960 will protect everyone who has a job in California,” Senator Dutton said. “In light of CARB’s poor track record, it makes sense that an independent agency provide sound economic analysis of the sweeping regulations CARB is imposing.

 “Requiring an independent review of regulations will help reveal the true cost to jobs and businesses in this state,” Senator Dutton concluded.