The extension of California’s cap-and-trade program, to reduce the impacts of climate change, is another massive energy tax, according to Nevada County’s state senator. Ted Gaines says gas prices and electricity rates will be even higher…

click to listen to Senator Gaines

Gaines says California just passed a new gas tax that will add 12-cents a gallon, to help reduce the massive backlog of road and highway maintenance projects. He says there are lower cost alternatives available for reducing air pollution…

click to listen to Senator Gaines

Gaines says he has also yet to see significant job creation from clean energy projects. He says Governor Brown and his group of, quote, “climate change extremists”, won’t be happy until California leads the nation in wind, solar, and poverty. Gaines opposes two bills that would extend the cap-and-trade program. It was passed by a State Senate Committee on Thursday. Final votes are expected next (this) week, with the Legislature’s summer recess scheduled to begin after (next) Friday.