Valero is boycott target of California green groups;Tesoro also listed

摘要

Last summer, Valero took its fight against climate control legislation to the street. This spring, climate control proponents in California and elsewhere are urging consumers to boycott Valero and affiliated branded gasoline stations. The group even provides an online interactive map of "nearby Valero gas stations to avoid."rnThe boycott effort comes after disclosure that San Antonio-based Valero contributed $500,000 to a petition drive that would put a ballot initiative on the Nov. 10 election. The initiative would stop the progression of Assembly Bill 32, which would reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a variety of means, including a regional cap-and-trade system. Valero and Tesoro have been the principal financial supporters of the ballot initiative, which would put off the California law (signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger in 2006) until unemployment falls to 5.5% or lower for four consecutive quarters. The state's current unemployment rate is 12.5%.