On the eve of the anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, former U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz and other national security leaders urged Californians to vote no on Proposition 23.

The ballot measure is bankrolled by Texas oil companies and is intended to delay implementation of California’s clean energy and clean air standards.

Shultz and the military officials said the proposition would undercut efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels that put America’s security at risk.

“Our national security is threatened by dependence on uncertain sources of oil and by the flow of funds to oil-providing countries that do not wish us well and, indirectly, to potential terrorist groups,” said Secretary Shultz, co-chair of the No on 23 Campaign and former U.S. Secretary of State under President Ronald Reagan.  “In addition, climate change itself can have a destabilizing impact on nations across the globe.  Proposition 23 seeks to derail our future through a process of indefinite postponement of our state’s clean energy and clean air standards.”

Joining Schultz are Admiral Dennis McGinn (retired), a three-star admiral with the U.S. Navy and former Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Requirements and Programs at the Pentagon and former U.S. Marine logistics officer Ian Thomson of “Operation Free,” a coalition of veterans and national security officials that support clean energy and climate change legislation.

The individuals are critical of continued American dependence on foreign oil and other sources of fossil-fuels which contribute to climate change.  They advocate development of alternative sources of energy.

Source: Press release