AB 32 Small Business Coalition

The AB 32 Small Business Coalition has come together to help ensure that California is able to implement AB 32 in a way that will help small business while meeting environmental goals. Crafting a successful plan that balances the economy and the environment will improve California and set a precedent for the nation and the world.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved a plan to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. While this plan sets ambitious environmental goals, it will take a major toll on small businesses. Below are several documents that will give you more information about AB 32 (the state’s climate change legislation), how it will affect small businesses, and what you can do to get involved.

Growing Evidence of Rising Costs

Several organizations have acknowledged that AB 32 will increase their operating costs and have asked CARB to mitigate those cost increases.

  • Southern California Public Power Authority projections (attachment)
  • University of California letter (attachment)

Background Research and Economic Analysis

A number of independent studies by prominent organizations and individuals have concluded that AB 32 will likely lead to job loss and a decline in economic growth.

  • The Legislative Analyst’s Office report (attachment)
  • The study by the Analysis Group (attachment)
  • The economic review by the LA Economic Development Corporation (attachment)
  • UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education Policy Brief: Addressing the Employment Impacts of AB 32, California’s Global Warming Solutions Act (attachment)
  • Peer review comments (attachment)
  • Scoping Plan Economic Analysis (attachment)

Small Business Impacts

California’s small businesses always bare a greater cost complying with regulations and that is particularly true with AB 32. Businesses with already razor thin profit-margins will now be forced to purchase new equipment to comply with AB 32 while also dealing with the increased energy and fuel costs associated with AB 32’s implementation.

  • CSBR’s AB 32 Small Business Impacts study (attachment)
  • CSBA’s overview sheet by Harold Igdaloff, Environmental Issues Chair for California Small Business Association (attachment)
  • Small Business Concerns fact sheet (attachment)
  • Low Carbon Fuel Standard fact sheet (attachment)

How to Get Involved

The regulatory process provides few opportunities for small business owners to give their input. Below are a variety of resources and suggestions about how to weigh in on this important issue.

The members of the AB 32 Small Business Coalition include:

  • Black Business Association
  • California Black Chamber of Commerce
  • California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
  • California Restaurant Association
  • California Small Business Association
  • California Small Business Roundtable
  • National Federation of Independent Business- California
  • NAWBO- Sacramento Valley Chapter
  • Riddle Service Companies
  • Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce
  • Small Business Action Committee
  • The Latin Business Association

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