If they aren’t trying to knock down the health care reform legislation, they’re trying to block appointees in the Senate review. And if they aren’t busy calling Obama a socialist tyrant, they’re occupied defending the needs of the Wall Street bankers. And when they need something to do for a weekend, well, it’s time to go out and demonize some sort of forward-thinking climate law. Like, say, in California.

I realize that those examples are Federal Republicans, but the same sentiment pervades on the West coast. And California is a leader in all things for the Earth, meaning that this is the front lines for the next generation of progressive green policies. So the Republican party tries to nip it in the bud, so to speak…

California Republicans are circulating a ballot initiative to suspend California’s Global Warming Solutions Act, commonly known as AB32, requiring that California cut emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

Of course it is backed by business interests. When is the world going to realize that business and progressive environmental policy are actually the same.

Republicans and businesses argue, of course, that jobs could be lost, that some companies might leave the state and energy prices will rise sharply. The first two may or may not happen. The last one, yes, energy prices will rise. But the whole point of leading the way on this is to find a way to create energy without creating greenhouse gas emissions. OF COURSE the cost of fossil fuel-created energy is going to go up.

The Republicans need 433,971 signatures needed to qualify it for the November ballot- they’ll get those, unfortunately. And then it will be on the November ballot, just in time for the anti-Democratic wave to be sweeping the nation, the one that is riding the anger and frustration over the recession. The one that could have a chance if the Republicans can find the right spin doctors to make the TV ads and social media campaigns happen across the state. Imagine it:

“Think your bills are high now? Wait until the Air Resources Board gets ahold of your energy!”

“Do you have $500 extra dollars just to drive your car/ heat your house next year?”

“If Washington and Copenhagen won’t do it, why should we? Say no to unfair climate legislation that doesn’t help and only costs YOU money.”

And on and on.

If the voters listen and pass the ballot initiative, the 2006 law will pause until the state unemployment rate is back to 5.5% for at least one year.

Predictably, the argument is that it’s not fair to ask businesses to comply with tough environmental laws when the economy is tough, and with California unemployment at 12.4%, that is a valid point. But it’s just not true.

The California ARB has actually published studies showing that the state will save money by curbing emissions. The opposition is essentially a strong special interest lobbying effort- AND IT’S WORKING. Which is the scary part- if it makes it to the ballot on the wings of money, why wouldn’t it take flight in the public debate???

Save us, California, from having to convince people, again, that it is worth it to take care of the Earth.

 Photo Credit: hall.chris25 (via Flickr under CCL)