California’s Green Nightmare

[PJABBER]

As California goes, so does the country.

But will the country learn from California's mistakes or are we doomed to repeat them?

California’s Green Nightmare

By Stephen Moore

from the October 2010 issue of
The American Spectator

It's hard to know where the fairy tale of "green jobs" first came from. It was probably a clever marketing scheme by radical environmentalists who realized that their anti-growth climate change agenda wasn't going to sell among the American electorate if workers realized how many jobs would be eviscerated by the new taxes and regulation. So, from somewhere out of Madison Avenue or K Street, the left devised the green jobs story line: we can impose a $1 trillion new tax on the U.S. economy over the next decade, and it will save jobs, as hundreds of thousands of Americans begin assembling windmills and solar paneling.

If we want to see how green policies work in the real world, we don't have to look any further than America's left coast. California has become the poster child of green jobs. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger boasted in his 2007 State of the State Address that "California has taken the leadership in moving the entire country beyond debate and denial [on global warming] to action. As goes California, so goes the nation."

He's right. California is the nation's laboratory in green job initiatives of the type that so many politicians in Washington, D.C., and the states see as America's economic passport to the future. The Golden State was first in the nation in renewable energy standards, it is the home of the most stringent cap and trade legislation (called AB 32) to reduce carbon emissions, and it has poured hundreds of millions of state tax dollars into renewable energy research.

So where are all the green jobs? A new 2010 study by the University of California-Berkeley comes to the sobering conclusion that "the green economy accounts for just 1 percent of California's jobs." That's right: of the roughly 15 million California workers, only about 159,000 have green jobs (and this was an expansive definition of green jobs, including trash sorters at the dumpsters).

That same study did find that green employment is "growing about 50 percent faster than the economy overall." But that's mostly a reflection of anemic job generation in California's industrial base, and not a sign that green jobs are going to sprout all over the state like avocado plants.

California's heavy "investment" in green job projects -- on the types of initiatives that President Obama is all gaga over on the national level -- hasn't added at all to overall state employment. As of June, California had 2.2 million unemployed workers and the fifth-highest unemployment rate in the nation at 12.3 percent. Even if the state were somehow to quadruple its green jobs, the Golden State would still have an unemployment rate above the national average.

Nor has "going green" helped the state's finances. The budget deficit in Sacramento is expected to reach $20 billion and the state's credit rating of A- is the worst of any state in the nation, while its default risk is rated on par with that of Libya. California voters are partly to blame. In 2008 they approved a $9.95-billion ballot initiative to build a high-speed "green" rail project from San Diego to San Francisco and beyond. The state can't pay its bills already. Most rail experts believe the actual cost will be multiples higher than anticipated, and that's only for the construction costs. The train figures to be an albatross around the neck of the state budget every year in operating subsidies, much as Amtrak is in Washington. By the way, you can take a Southwest flight from San Francisco to San Diego for as little as $59.

Amazingly, even Gov. Schwarzenegger's own economics team concluded this year that the state's green regulatory structure is a menace to the state's economy.

The governor's office study concluded that California's already iron-fisted environmental and workplace regulations translate into about $176 billion in lost output and nearly 4 million lost jobs. This study was so embarrassing to the legislature and the Schwarzenegger administration that it was suppressed for many months, until several Republican legislators demanded its release.

Meanwhile, California's celebrated AB 32 climate change law will take effect in 2012. But it is already causing an outsourcing of manufacturing, construction, and utility investment in anticipation of the new regulations. A Riverside construction company, CalPortland Cement, announced in late 2009 it was closing its plant because of AB 32's impending regulations. The CEO wrote: "A cement plant cannot be picked up and moved, but the next new plant probably won't be built in California," but rather in Nevada or China.

Last year, researchers at the college of business at California State University in Sacramento estimated that higher energy prices from AB 32 will increase consumers' food, utility, and housing costs by $50 billion. That's the equivalent of a 4.5 percent sales tax on most consumer items Californians buy. Small business costs would rise by $60 billion annually to pay for a policy that will have at best a microscopic impact on global temperatures.

The Golden State is also first in the nation in stifling renewable portfolio electricity standards. These are expected to raise electric power costs on every Golden State business and homeowner by 2 percent, which is like a $250 tax on a typical family. Another expensive initiative, the 1 million solar roofs project, will pour tens of millions more scarce tax dollars into green programs the debt-drenched state can't afford.

HOW DOES THIS ALL translate into jobs? Well, of course, it doesn't, and last year California Republicans held field hearings in Reno, Nevada, to discover where all the businesses have fled. The presidents and founders of more than 100 businesses, all formerly in California, almost all said much the same thing. Although taxes are excruciatingly high in the Golden State, the businesses said they could tolerate those if it weren't for the regulatory climate. They couldn't stomach the anti-business attitude of so many of the California regulators. One former manufacturer in Los Angeles complained that "the regulators come onto your facility, and they want to shut you down. They view businesses as enemy combatants." Earlier this year, the EPA chased out of town the last steel foundry in Los Angeles, a firm that had hired hundreds of Southern California workers with good wages for decades.

Joseph Vranich, a business relocation expert, has a database of firms that move in and out of California.

"Thanks mostly to California's hostile regulatory climate," he says, "for every three new businesses that move into the state of California, about 100 move out."

He's compiled an exit list of A-list home-grown California-based companies that are expanding operations elsewhere. It includes Intuit, StarKist, Facebook, Northrop Grumman, and Apple.

Perhaps even more embarrassing is that when California's investments do generate new jobs, they are increasingly located outside the state. In June, the hot Silicon Valley firm MiaSolé reported that its planned home for one of the largest solar factories in North America, a 500,000-square-foot 1,000-worker plant, will be built in Atlanta.

Similarly, CalStar Products has erected its newest green plant in Wisconsin. Since then, it has been awarded nearly $2.5 million in federal clean energy tax credits through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and the company said, "We expect to build additional plants down the Mississippi Valley and East Coast over the next couple years" -- and conspicuously, not in California.

Another green firm announced it will build its new plant in Wales. Other states and nations are getting rich on California's green spending. Much like Europe, California is discovering that for every green job that has been created, several more conventional hardhat jobs have disappeared. The term "green jobs" is a fancy way to say 12 percent unemployment.

Even the politicians in Sacramento are starting to realize the tomfoolery of one state trying to stop planetary global warming all on its own. So Mr. Schwarzenegger has been trying to persuade the governors of other neighboring states like Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington to sign a Western state cap and trade treaty. The other governors have declined, no doubt having observed how well climate change legislation has worked in California.

The whole fight of jobs versus greens comes to a climax in November, when voters will decide on a ballot initiative to suspend the state's global warming law until unemployment falls back to 5.5 percent.

The initiative is polling well, but green groups around the country are raising millions of dollars to defeat the measure.

This is Waterloo for the Green Movement. If California rejects expensive job-killing remedies to climate change, other states will surely follow.

California, ironically, could be the state that says, "Whoa: jobs first."

 

[dahunan]

why do you hate the earth? is it because your god said he has a place for you everlasting?

 

[PJABBER]

why do you hate the earth? is it because your god said he has a place for you everlasting?

I am a heretic, an unbeliever, an apostate, an infidel and a kafir in so many, many ways!

:awe:

 

[JSt0rm]

the oil prop isnt going to pass. The unemployment they set in this prop has only happened 2x since we have been keeping record. It's basically a prop to get rid of the clean air bill. Not going to happen.

 

[dahunan]

haha.. I was just being an ass..

to add to green discussion.. check this shit if you you think ours is wrong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUlKSv6UJKM&feature=player_embedded
^^
Load of Rubbish: Moscow turning into Mount Garbage?


They can only recycle 15% of what is recyclable in a GIANT CITY... so they just put it all together and deal with it later

 

[her209]

Just more proof that the other 49 states are leeches.

 

[PJABBER]

Just more proof that the other 49 states are leeches.

Oh, I rather think that Californians have been quite as smug about it as the Europeans, all the while shooting themselves in the foot.

 

[Drako]

When unemployment hits 20% in CA, maybe the people will finally have enough of the CA government.

 

[her209]

Oh, I rather think that Californians have been quite as smug about it as the Europeans, all the while shooting themselves in the foot.

California is a donor state.

 

[ElFenix]

nothing wrong insisting on things be environmentally sound, but we have to ensure that the reason things are environmentally sound isn't because we're shipping our problems elsewhere. that's not a real solution but it's what we're doing

California is a donor state.

i wonder what the numbers are when you consider where the money is made rather than where the taxes are collected.

and to the extent that the californian economy is due to the mercantile relationship that the coasts have had with the interior of the country for 200+ years, of course CA is going to be doing well.

 

[PJABBER]

California is a donor state.

I'm not mad! I'm not in California!

:awe:

I'm laughing all the way to the bank!

 

[her209]

I'm not mad! I'm not in California!

:awe:

I'm laughing all the way to the bank!

You mean from the welfare office to the bank.

:awe:

 

[PJABBER]

You mean from the welfare office to the bank.

No, no, no. Don't project. It is so unbecoming of you.

BTW, you look foppishly Canadian. Do you live in California?

 

[her209]

Do you live in California?

Yep. damn proud of it too.

 

[theeedude]

How does this sort of tripe even pass editorial review?

 

[PJABBER]

Yep. damn proud of it too.

No worries, mate. No worries at all. Carry on.

 

[techs]

Yet another example of the war against the future.
First off, this in an article by a right wind magazine.

I can't really find any facts in the article. It talks about some law that is imposing a 1 trillion dollar tax on America. Yet fails to mention what the fuck he is talking about.


Now for the real problem. Silicon Valley was becoming the world leader in solar panel technology. Venture capitalists were pouring in money, research was fruitful, orders were flowing in.

Then China decided it wanted the solar panel business. China built factories to solar panel manufacturing specs, loaned billions to new companies to start up, provided additional billions of dollars in low cost loans Chinese manufacturers could use to offer customers low cost payment plans. China poured billions into solar panel research.

On top of that, China mandates(as in we will imprison you for life or kill you if you don't like it) the wages employees were paid. China allows companies to just dump dangerous by products from manufacturing anywhere they like. And China is undervaluing its currency to give its products an ADDITIONAL 30-40 percent discount.

In the last year the solar panel startups have stopped making panels. Now they are installation companies for Chinese made solar panels.


Basically the asshat who wrote the article has no idea of economics or business.
He just hates the environment. He also hates the American worker, because he basically is saying we shouldn't try to build up our industries for the future.

This asshat would have been against everything from Hoover Dam to the interstate highway system. Project that were built before there was the demand for them, and both were critical investments in Americas future.

 

[PJABBER]

Yet another example of the war against the future.

Yes, a war against bankruptcy and economic ruin.

I can't really find any facts in the article.

ROTFLMAO! OK, you win the dunce cap for the day! In an article where almost every paragraph references facts and studies, YOU can't find facts!

Or is it that you can't find the facts that support your personal journey through the looking glass?

 

[BeauJangles]

No worries, mate. No worries at all. Carry on.

What's wrong with Canada, they have a lot of stuff figured out up there that we can only dream of. Granted, they have their problems too, but most Canadians have a better understanding of US politics than US citizens.

 

[PJABBER]

What's wrong with Canada, they have a lot of stuff figured out up there that we can only dream of. Granted, they have their problems too, but most Canadians have a better understanding of US politics than US citizens.

Can't say one way or another.

My comment was related to her209's use of a very, very strange Mountie avatar, misleading us to think she is Candian. How do you feel about that?

 

[Engineer]

Can't say one way or another.

My comment was related to her209's use of a very, very strange Mountie avatar, misleading us to think she is Candian. How do you feel about that?

LOL. That's Conan O'Brien as his avatar!

 

[PJABBER]

LOL. That's Conan O'Brien as his avatar!

Who the fuck is Conan O'Brien?

 

[techs]

Yes, a war against bankruptcy and economic ruin.



ROTFLMAO! OK, you win the dunce cap for the day! In an article where almost every paragraph references facts and studies, YOU can't find facts!

Or is it that you can't find the facts that support your personal journey through the looking glass?

Just cause someone puts a figure, or says a "report" is meaningless. No links, no specifics.

For example:

Joseph Vranich, a business relocation expert, has a database of firms that move in and out of California.

"Thanks mostly to California's hostile regulatory climate," he says, "for every three new businesses that move into the state of California, about 100 move out."

You can't find this guy on Wikipedia. I see no evidence of a list. Where is the list???? It's sort of like Bill O'Reilly quoting Glenn Beck as a "factual source"

Hint, just cause someone says he quoting someone else on the internet means absolutely nothing.
Except for people who think Fox News is Fair and Balanced.

 

[PJABBER]

Just cause someone puts a figure, or says a "report" is meaningless. No links, no specifics.

For example:

Joseph Vranich, a business relocation expert, has a database of firms that move in and out of California.

"Thanks mostly to California's hostile regulatory climate," he says, "for every three new businesses that move into the state of California, about 100 move out."

You can't find this guy on Wikipedia. I see no evidence of a list. Where is the list???? It's sort of like Bill O'Reilly quoting Glenn Beck as a "factual source"

Hint, just cause someone says he quoting someone else on the internet means absolutely nothing.
Except for people who think Fox News is Fair and Balanced.

You truly are a retard, and I don't use that term lightly.

I did a Google search and on the first page I found the following information -

Biography

Joseph Vranich is an Executive Coach with clients located throughout the United States and Canada. While being introduced on America's highest-rated cable-TV business show, "Your World With Neil Cavuto," the host said, "Joe Vranich is a coach committed to you and your success." He has been a repeated guest on ABC, BBC, CBS, CNN, C-SPAN, Fox News, Japan Broadcasting, MSNBC, NBC, NPR, PBS, and on several hundred local broadcasts and has testified before Congress many times. His recent appearances include:

Sept. 29, 2010, Fox Business News, Stuart Varney interview: "144 Companies Left Calif. in 2010" (3-3/4 minutes).

Aug. 18, 2010, interview with Charles Payne: "Death by a Thousand Cuts."

April 12, 2010, Reason.TV interview with Ted Balaker: "More Taxes or More Jobs?"

Opposing California Hostile Business Environment

His comments in a series of speeches in 2010 on the subject of commercial enterprises leaving California for states with friendlier business environments have been quoted by economic development officials, political candidates and the news media. After an appearance in Sacramento. Assemblyman Dan Logue said, "I wish we could hire him to work in the governor's office to redirect this ship before it washes upside down." See more at his Speaking Availability page.

Examples of his relocation work for California companies include a consumer products company that moved to Colorado, a consulting firm now in Texas, a boat-building company that may move to Arizona, and a law firm that may re-establish itself in Oklahoma or Texas. A flavor of his work can be seen in Testimonials.

Contributing to Stability & Relocations

Joe’s contributions to organizational growth include serving as a coach to the CEO of an early-stage entrepreneurial venture that uses geo-spatial imagery in a new way; coach for a public relations firm to groom an executive for broader responsibilities; and board member of a technology licensing company. In the non-profit world, he helped relocate a trade association to Washington, D.C., and is now helping to create a new national think tank to be based in Virginia.

Coaching Certifications

Joe Vranich's coaching work often centers around Vision Development, Strategic Planning and Strategic Communications. He is certified in the OSI Polaris Competency Model and Leadership 360 Survey, which includes how to analyze and make performance recommendations based on a comprehensive report. He is a Certified Trainer in the DiSC Personal Profile System that enables clients to capitalize on behavioral strengths, anticipate and minimize conflicts with others, and identify environments most conducive to success. See more about the benefits of Executive Coaching at Value of Coaching.

Public Relations/Crisis Communications Roles

Prior to becoming a coach he served in Public Relations positions with Fortune 50 companies, as a "corporate ambassador" to international customers, and as CEO of an international trade association.

As a crisis communications spokesperson, Joe has stood before microphones in cases that generated national and international media coverage regarding product disputes, accidents, service disruptions, labor unrest, government investigations and natural disasters.

He served as a press spokesperson for major real estate transactions such as when ownership changed on the 644-mile Boston-New York-Washington rail line (and all adjacent train stations in eight states) and when manufacturing facilities in New York, Ohio and Florida were sold or closed.

Published Author

Moreover, he is a non-fiction author (with a focus on transportation and travel) and commentator whose views have been published in the Wall Street Journal, CFO Magazine, Newsweek, New York Times, Newsday, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Orange County Register, San Francisco Examiner, San Diego Union Tribune, Journal of Commerce and many other publications.

He has served as a board member of the Professional Coaches and Mentors Association and adheres to the standards and practices of the International Coach Federation (pdf).

 

[techs]

You truly are a retard, and I don't use that term lightly.

I did a Google search and on the first page I found the following information -

Thank you for proving MY point.

Here let me google that for you:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Joseph+Vranich

First result for Joseph Vranich is HIS OWN RESUME POSTED ON SITE THAT LETS ANYONE POST THEIR RESUME.

Second result is a BLOG that quotes what what Neil Cavuto said about him when he was on his show. It was Cavuto's OPINION.

So far we have nothing about the guys qualifications or the supposed 'list' he made.

Third result and fourth result are HIS OWN FREAKING WEBSITE.

The rest of the first page are blogs, fox news, etc.

You really proved my point. Thanks

btw ANYONE can go and testify at many government hearings. That seems to be what he did. Along with lunatics who testified the Martians were controlling their brains.

The very fact you so completely believe your post is scary.

EDIT: Here you to can join the organization that "credentialed" him. Basically all you need to do is pay the fee and form a corporation,though they ask for no proof you actually have a corporation, or any training. Just fill in the online form and pay your money.
http://www.coachfederation.org/join-icf/