Is Green Policy Bad For Jobs?

As the race for Governor heats up in California, one of the divisive issues is bright green. Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner both say that they'd suspend the greenhouse gas emissions legislation, AB 32, because it's killing jobs in the state. Not surprisingly, leaders in Silicon Valley's clean tech world are not amused.

In an exclusive Fresh Dialogues interview this week, alternative energy advocate and Akeena Solar CEO, Barry Cinnamon didn't pull any punches:

"Governor Schwarzenegger should pick up the phone to Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner and tell them to back off their inane commentary on AB 32. That it's killing jobs....that's just prima facie false."

He argues that Silicon Valley has become a leader in clean tech and California has taken a lead in alternative energy precisely because of AB 32 and suggests that it would be 'disastrous' if the legislation were suspended.

Interesting to note that the main backers of the suspension are oil companies like Valero Oil which have contributed almost half a million dollars to the anti-AB 32 campaign. There is a good commentary in the Sacramento Bee this week about AB 32 foes being "slick and predictable."

Will big oil beat big green in California? That remains to be seen. As for Cinnamon, he suggests Whitman and Poizner's stance will simply galvanize support in the green sector for gubernatorial candidate, Jerry Brown.

Check out the video here:

For more exclusive interviews with Paul Krugman, Vinod Khosla, KR Sridhar and other green leaders, check out more fresh questions and fresh answers at Fresh Dialogues archives.