Big oil's "life or death" campaign
Becky Bond, CREDO Action
"The difference between life and death for our industry."1
That's how the National Petroleum Refiners Association, in a memo to oil companies across the country, just framed Proposition 23 — the Texas oil company funded, California ballot initiative that would gut AB 32, California's landmark anti-global warming law, passed in 2006.
The memo asks for contributions to Prop 23 "for your company's own self-interest." So far, Texas oil companies like Valero and Tesoro, along with the tea party funding, billionaire Koch brothers, among others, have funded the assault on California's law to the tune of almost $8.5 million.
These national anti-climate forces are lining up right now in California because our global warming law will serve as a model for other states to pass legislation limiting global warming pollution. Or as the NPRA put it:
"A defeat for Proposition 23 in California could energize environmental fanatics around the country and in Washington to match California's destructive policies with their own versions of AB32."
California is the front line of the national climate fight. If you care about enacting climate policies in this country, and standing up to big polluters like Valero and the Koch brothers, this is a fight we must win.
These Texas oil companies, aided by the Koch brothers and others, think they can come into California and buy another climate policy-obstructing victory for big polluters — just like they did in Copenhagen and then with the Senate climate bill.
It's going to take grassroots support from all over the country to make sure they don't succeed.
The California campaign to Stop Texas Oil and Prop 23 is already as energized as these oil companies are scared. Five field offices, each with two paid organizers, are open across the state and are busy organizing substantial visibility and voter contact operations. Soon we'll also have opportunities for you to help call voters in California.
This campaign has generated statewide attention, but it needs to grow as fast as the out-of-state oil money is pouring into California. And now that these oil companies are feeling threatened, we know the gusher is about to begin. Will you help stand up to these oil companies?
It's high time that oil companies stopped spending millions to buy the laws they want, instead of working to clean up the mess that they've helped create.
California needs to send that message loud and clear. As a fellow "environmental fanatic" and non Texas-oil baron, Californians are counting on your help. Every contribution will make a difference.
Becky Bond, Political Director
CREDO Action from Working Assets
P.S. — Do you have friends in California who might want to volunteer to help stop Prop 23? Tell them to visit StopTexasOil.org to volunteer.
1. The California Majority Report, September 15, 2010 Secret Out-of-State Oil Industry Memo: Prop. 23 About Their "Self-Interest" and Valero's
* Paid for by Credo Victory Fund Against Prop 23 and Texas Oil Companies. Major funding by Working Assets Funding Service, Inc. 101 Market Street, Suite 700, San Francisco, CA 94105.
| the fight of their life in California |
