> Support drops for campaign to suspend CA climate law!

SACRAMENTO ? An aggressive campaign by environmental groups and Northern California investors is apparently swaying public opinion against a ballot initiative that would suspend the state?s landmark greenhouse gas emissions law.

A poll released Wednesday by the Public Policy Institute of California shows that just 37 percent of likely voters planned to vote for Proposition 23 on Nov. 2, while 48 percent said they will vote no.

Last month, the contest was about even, with 43 percent of voters supporting the initiative and 42 percent opposing it.

Out-of-state oil companies have spent millions backing the measure, which would indefinitely delay implementation of AB32, California?s 2006 law to reduce emissions statewide to 1990 levels over the next decade.

But they have been outspent in recent weeks by the measure?s opponents, who have contributed more than $10.6 million so far this month. That comes on top of the $12.6 million reported by the No on 23 campaign of Sept. 30.

Some of the largest donations have come from the National Resources Defense Council, the National Wildlife Federation and investors in alternative energy.

?When you have that kind of money to spread misinformation about what Proposition 23 is all about, it?s not surprising that the numbers have shifted,? Anita Mangels, a spokeswoman for the Yes on 23 campaign, said of the latest poll.

The initiative would suspend the law until California?s unemployment rate falls to 5.5 percent or less for four consecutive quarters, something that has happened just three times in the last three decades. Initiative supporters say the emissions law will increase costs to state businesses and drive jobs out of state.

Supporters of the emissions law say it will lead to a boom in alternative-energy investments in California.

The Yes on 23 campaign had reported more than $9 million in contributions as of Oct. 19. The bulk of the money has been donated by three oil companies ? Valero Corp. and Tesoro Corp. of Texas, and Flint Hills Resources, a Wichita, Kan., company owned by Koch Industries. The Koch family also has supported the national tea party movement.

The declining support for Proposition 23 is a sign voters are seeing through the oil industry?s ?deception,? said Steve Maviglio, a spokesman for the measure?s opponents.
?I don?t think the oil companies knew what they got into when they decided to try to overturn such a popular law,? he said.

The poll shows opposition to Proposition 23 is strongest among Democrats and independents, while Republicans are divided.

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