PROP 7 – Vote NO
This Proposal:
This measure, the RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION INITIATIVE STATUTE would require all utilities, including government-owned utilities, to generate 20% of their power from renewable energy by 2010, a standard currently applicable only to private electrical corporations. It raises the renewable energy requirement to 40% by 2020 and 50% by 2025. The proposition also imposes penalties for noncompliance and requires utilities to sign longer contracts (20 year minimum) to procure renewable energy. In addition, Prop. 7 contains a provision stipulating that renewable power from plants under 30 megawatts won’t count toward meeting the goal although currently nearly 60 percent of California’s renewable requirements are with these small providers.
The fiscal impact of this proposition is largely unknown, but almost all independent auditors agree that it will likely raise electricity rates, perhaps significantly.
Recommendation:
My recommendation is to vote NO. This is another proposal that looks good at first, but in actuality is fatally flawed. First, setting energy policy by ballot initiative is almost always a bad idea. California’s energy situation is a complicated matter with many different goals which must be balanced. This proposition is clearly designed to favor one solution and set of players over the others. It sets arbitrary goals for the use of renewable energy and then prohibits smaller renewable energy providers from contributing towards that goal. In addition, the proposal allows utilities to purchase renewable energy at up to 10% above market price and then pass the additional costs along to consumers. Prop 7 is opposed by a broad spectrum of groups including renewable energy producers, the Environmental Defense Fund, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the California League of Conservation Voters, the California Solar Energy Industries Association, the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies, and the Union of Concerned Scientists.
For more information: Voter Information Guide – Prop 7
|
If you enjoyed this article, please share it with others by clicking on the Facebook “Like” button above or one or more of the icons below. If you wish to be notified each time I put up a new post, you can subscribe through one of the links to the right. (If you don’t know what RSS is, just choose the email option.) Finally, leave some feedback or join the discussion by commenting below. I’d love to know what you think. |
Related posts:
by David Boaz or 
by David Bergland, both excellent books on libertarian thought.
sending...
