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SACRAMENTO – The AB 32 Implementation Group, a coalition of business and taxpayer organizations, on Wednesday expressed strong concerns about the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) plan to initiate an auction of emissions permits as part of the AB 32 cap-and-trade regulation (AB 32 is California’s Global Warming Solutions Act).
They observe CARB is exceeding its authority and the auction will add a tremendous strain to the state’s already fragile economy.
“Imposing billions of dollars of new costs on manufacturers, power and fuel producers, agriculture, and other energy users when unemployment is in double digits and taxes may go up to balance the state budget is the height of folly,” said Dorothy Rothrock, vice president of government relations for the California Manufacturers and Technology Association and AB 32 Implementation Group member. “In the end, California consumers and the state’s economy will be the ultimate victims of this ill-conceived and poorly researched scheme.”
“As currently planned, CARB’s auction will pit California employers against Wall Street traders for a diminishing pool of allowances that they must have if they are to stay in business here. That’s a recipe for continued business flight, job loss and economic decline,” Rothrock continued.
The AB 32 Implementation Group contends that AB 32’s carbon emissions goals can be met without a Wall Street-style auction and protect California employers, jobs and the state’s economy by issuing emissions allowances up to an efficiency benchmark.
Allowing them to trade permits under a declining statewide cap would reward the most efficient companies and encourage cost-effective emission reductions.
“Despite CARB’s attempt to frame the cap-and-trade auction as a source of free money, it’s a textbook tax on business and consumers – pure and simple. But AB 32 doesn't give CARB taxing authority and lawmakers never intended AB 32 as a revenue generator. And since we are the only state imposing this new tax, our manufacturers will be at a competitive disadvantage. On top of other high costs in California, this will be one more reason to shift jobs and production to other locations,” Rothrock added.
Recent AB 32 Implementation Group polling confirms that two-thirds of California voters oppose CARB's carbon credit trading plan, which is scheduled to kick off later this year with an auction in November.
“There is still time to fix cap-and-trade by removing the most damaging elements of the regulation, including the auction of permits,” Rothrock concluded. “We should immediately send signals to investors and employers that CARB will not move forward with a job-killing auction. For the sake of the economy, consumers and the environment, CARB should make AB 32 implementation as low-cost as possible.”
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Savings Bank is welcoming Pete Dodson, vice president and commercial oan officer, to the Lakeport branch office.
Dodson lived in Lake County for 20 years before moving from the area in 2004.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to return to Lake County and work for Savings Bank, a true community bank,” said Dodson. “I look forward to getting involved in the community once again and rekindle some old friendships.”
Being involved in the local activities is important to Dodson.
He was a charter member of the Kelseyville Sunrise Rotary Club and has been a Rotary member for more than 20 years.
Dodson also was a member of the Lake County Wine Alliance, the Kelseyville Pear Festival Committee and the Konocti Bay Sailing Club.
He enjoys boating, golfing, and has a knack for fixing just about anything.
As a graduate of UC Davis, Dodson earned a bachelor of science degree in agricultural economics and business management.
Prior to coming to Savings Bank, Dodson was an agricultural loan officer and vice president/commercial loan officer.
There are a number of challenges as well as opportunities that lay ahead for Lake County. Savings Bank said it is well positioned to play a vital role in the community’s success.
Dodson welcomes walk-in customers or those who just want to stop by and say hi.
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LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Six Sigma Winery's 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon recently won a gold medal at the 2012 American Fine Wine Competition held in Boca Raton, Fla.
A panel of 24 judges, including sommeliers and wine writers, tasted their way through 660 wines from across the United States.
In order to win a gold medal each judge must agree that the wine is worthy of this prestigious honor.
Kaj and Else Ahlmann are very excited that their 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon has been awarded yet another medal.
“This is the same wine that was selected as the best Cabernet Sauvignon at the People's Choice Awards held in Lake County last November,” said Kaj Ahlmann. “This recognition that the Cabernet has received as well as the awards and accolades of our entire portfolio makes all of our hard work worthwhile.”
“Six Sigma wines have been very well received in the greater Bay Area,” said Walt Campbell, direct-to-trade manager. “Our wines are available in many restaurants in Napa Valley. To be able to share our wines with Napa Valley and successfully compete with the most famous wine region in the world says a lot about the quality of our wines.”
Winning a gold medal in Florida demonstrates a demand for Lake County wines, not only in California but nationwide, the company said.
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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Lake County Websites & Computer Repair will hold its next computer workshop on Saturday, June 23.
The workshop will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 15642 Armstrong St. in Middletown in the Jazzercise Center, two blocks behind the post office. Admission costs $10.
The June 23 workshop will be an overview of Windows 7, Microsoft’s best operating system yet.
This workshop will introduce you to some of the great new features in Windows 7 that are not always apparent to the user.
Learn how to automate backups and defragmentation, manage and resize your windows, and work with the quick launch task bar so you can get to your programs faster and navigate the Internet more effectively.
The presenter of the computer workshop, Mark Rudiger, is the owner of Lake County Websites & Computer Repair and has more than 18 years of experience installing, trouble-shooting and working with computers.
If you have a laptop, bring it along and connect to the high-speed Internet. If you don’t, you can follow along on Rudiger’s laptop screen which will be projected on a 120-inch screen.
Go to www.facebook.com/LCSMGroup to register for this and other upcoming workshops.
For more information or to reserve your spot, call Mark Rudiger at 707-987-1923 or email