SACRAMENTO – California Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles) and Assembly Democrats today joined California environmental business leaders to unveil four bills designed to promote “green collar” jobs.

“It looks like St. Patrick’s Day is coming early this year – because what you’re seeing today with this package of bills, is the legislature working to turn the California economy green, “ Speaker Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles) said. “Just like AB 32, I want California to again lead the nation – this time by getting out in front with a comprehensive strategy to spur green business and advance green collar jobs for Californians in everything from high tech work in the lab, to installing one of our million solar roofs to weatherizing homes and businesses.”

The Assembly bills highlighted:

• AB 3018 Green Collar Jobs authored by Speaker Núñez (D-Los Angeles) develops a comprehensive array of programs, strategies and resources to grow California’s “green” economy.
• AB 2538 Carbon Labeling Act 2008 authored by Assemblymember Ira Ruskin (D-Redwood City) establishes a state certified, standardized voluntary carbon labeling program for greenhouse gas emissions. It permits product manufacturers to carbon label products so consumers can voluntarily reduce their carbon footprints.
• AB 2267 Greenhouse Gas Emissions authored by Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes (D-Sylmar) provides incentives through existing energy efficiency programs to manufacturers of clean energy technology who base their operations and manufacturing facilities in the state and generate new industries and jobs.
• AB 2003 Climate Protection and Energy Efficiency AB 2008 authored by Assemblymember Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) is designed to meet Assembly Bill 32’s goals by a legislative bond initiative authorizing the sale of $2 billion in state general obligation bonds. The money would be used to promote alternative energy including solar and wind and for low-income energy conservation.

“The green economy can be a path out of poverty for underserved populations in California and the green economy can generate badly needed income and revenue for our state,” Núñez said. “While anything with an impact on the general fund is going to have a tough time this year it’s vital in keeping California’s competitive edge that we move the ball forward with these bills. There’s plenty of time as these bills move through the process to look at how to minimize costs, how to retool and reform current programs to maximize existing resources and maybe even how to move some of these proposals toward being revenue neutral.”