Calif. measure to suspend landmark global warming law qualifies for November ballot

Voters to decide on California global warming law

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — An initiative that seeks to suspend California’s landmark global warming law until unemployment drops qualified Tuesday for the November election ballot.

Secretary of State Debra Bowen said it’s the sixth proposition to qualify for the ballot.

The California Jobs Initiative would delay the state’s global warming law until unemployment falls from its current rate of 12.4 percent to 5.5 percent or lower and stays there for a year.

The 2006 state law championed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in California and impose new requirements on utilities, manufacturers and other businesses.

Oil companies funded the drive to put the initiative on the ballot. It is backed by some business groups who say the law could cost jobs and lead to higher energy prices, though other businesses oppose the initiative.

“This initiative sponsored by greedy Texas oil companies would cripple California’s fastest-growing economic sector, reverse our renewable energy policy and decimate our environmental progress for the benefit of these oil companies’ profit margins,” Schwarzenegger said in a statement.