PG&E spent about $45 million to undermine California’s laws in order to make themselves more money at public expense by putting Prop 16 on the ballot. Despite outspending the opposition by at least a 400-1 margin, Prop 16 went down to defeat at the June 8 primary election.

Now another group of fossil fuel purveyors – in this case, large oil companies led by Valero, Tesoro, and Occidental – have funded an effort to repeal California’s global warming solutions law, AB 32, so that they can make more money by continuing to pollute California. Their proposition is now on the November ballot as Prop 23.

But PG&E isn’t having any part of it. Stung by their Prop 16 defeat, and realizing along with most of the Bay Area’s other companies that Prop 23 would worsen the recession by undermining green jobs, they’ve announced they will oppose Prop 23. From a press release sent out by the No on Prop 23 campaign, the Stop the Dirty Energy Proposition coalition:

“PG&E, one of our state’s largest employers, knows that Proposition 23 will kill jobs, drive up energy costs for families and businesses, and deal a blow to California’s leadership in developing clean energy,” said Steven Maviglio of Californians for Clean Energy and Jobs, the group opposing the ballot measure. “PG&E has consistently supported efforts to boost job-creating clean technology in California, and we welcome them to the growing ranks of businesses large and small opposing the Texas oil companies’ dirty energy proposition.”

PG&E also is a member of the Bay Area Council and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, both of which oppose Proposition 23.

And here’s PG&E’s release:

AB 32 requires California to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. Since actively supporting the passage of AB 32, PG&E has worked with the California Air Resources Board, California Public Utilities Commission, California Energy Commission and other stakeholders to make AB 32 a success and a model for other jurisdictions to follow. In particular, PG&E is working closely with policymakers on creative ways to ensure that the law’s vital environmental objectives are achieved at the lowest possible cost to customers and the California economy.

Contrary to this responsible approach, Proposition 23 would suspend the law indefinitely, despite the critical need to combat climate change at the state, national and global level.

“We at PG&E are committed to helping California make progress on both its environmental and economic goals, moving us toward a low-carbon economy while minimizing the impact on customers as we make this necessary transition,” said Peter Darbee, Chairman and CEO of PG&E Corporation. “Studies show that unchecked climate change could cost California’s economy alone tens of billions of dollars a year in losses to agriculture, tourism and other sectors. Thoughtful and balanced implementation of AB 32 is one of the most important opportunities we have to avoid this costly outcome while spurring new clean-tech investment, innovation and job creation in California.”

PG&E has been doing some decent work on green energy, which ought to be encouraged. And it’s also welcome that they’re now opposing efforts to undermine our green jobs and clean energy legislation. Along with other business groups, like the Bay Area Council and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, PG&E is standing up for California’s future and standing against Prop 23.