Yesterday's election is notable for many reasons, but one in particular for us in California was the defeat of Proposition 23. If you don't know what Prop 23 was all about, it is important to have some idea. This ballot initiative was sponsored by out-of-state oil companies seeking to suspend the state's landmark climate law enacted in 2006, AB 32, and would only bring it back if unemployment levels reached 5.5 percent, effectively killing it. Assembly Bill 32 called for the state to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, and provided a framework for how to reach that goal. Of course, this meant that the energy Californians receive must transition to cleaner sources, to the dismay of the oil companies.

Results came in from the election, and show that voters rejected Prop 23 wholeheartedly. According to figures, over 93% of precincts reported, and over 61% voted against the measure. This is great news for those of us living in this state, as the clean tech industries we support can continue to provide us with technology and building materials that will take us toward better energy sources. We can't wait to see what this will mean in the years ahead of us for the building industry. One thing we do know however is that it will strengthen the building codes and standards such as CalGREEN and LEED being used today.

With Prop 23 shot down, we can look forward to an increase in energy efficient commercial and residential properties, in addition to existing building retrofits, all supporting tens of thousands of jobs in California. Many of these projects adhere to an existing green building standard, and would be in jeopardy if AB 32 were to face suspension. Some specifics include a $3.1 billion investment by the California Public Utilities Commission in energy efficiency programs, authorized in 2009, which is estimated to create between 15,000 and 18,000 jobs. This will fund activities such as the construction of “zero net energy” commercial and residential buildings (something Green Building Pro has looked at before in our July issue of the Green Building Journal), retrofits for local governments and state colleges, and making industrial properties more energy efficient. This is in addition to the vast number of renewable energy projects announced or in production, totaling almost 10,000 megawatts of renewable power. By taking a stand we have made it clear that we will continue to support a cleaner future through technology and energy.

How do you feel about Prop 23's loss and what it could mean for the state?

About the Editor
Mitchell Funk is an Editorial Assistant for Green Building Pro. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara and is a LEED Green Associate.