California is a huge state and economy. When we sneeze, the country catches cold :-) and when our economy falters, it affects not only a lot of Californians, but a lot of Americans.
California's economy has been struggling for a number of years -- like the rest of the country is experiencing in 2009 -- and part of the reason is that we have been importing so much energy to support our car-culture and our businesses. When we look at the economics of sustainability, energy strategy ranks near the top of the list of effectiveness factors.
Energy affects jobs. Energy affects state taxes...and state budgets.
Energy affects livability and family budgets.
Global Warming and Jobs...NRDC's two page summary of the reason and way to bring our energy expenditures back home and reinvest in California's future.