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Utility Companies and their Allies Gear Up in Opposition to Solar and Clean Energy Proposition Before Statewide California Democratic Meeting
By Jim Gonzalez
Proponent
Solar and Clean Energy Act
You’d never know from reading the opponents’ writings that their campaign is 100% bought and paid for by for-profit utilities PG&E, Sempra and Southern California Edison.
It is no surprise that utility companies oppose the Solar and Clean Energy proposition that will appear on the November California ballot. What we learn from their opposition is that the utility companies and their allies are really against more solar and clean renewable energy.
The utility companies think they’re doing all they can and need to do already. We strongly disagree. More is needed in combating climate change, global warming and our dependence on dirty fuels and foreign oil. That’s why we have put the Solar and Clean Energy Act on the ballot, and why the overwhelming majority of Californians favor moving rapidly toward clean, renewable energy.
It’s a shame to see some environmentalists jumping into bed with these coal- and nuclear-dependent electricity merchants.
Opponents’ claims that our Solar and Clean Energy proposition will slow down progress currently being made are not credible. How can doubling the renewable energy requirements slow things down? Many of their statements are false, as a check of the Legislative Analyst’s impartial write-up will verify. It’s posted on our website for anyone to read.
But we are proud of the California leaders who are lining up to support this much-needed response to climate change and global warming. A long list of progressives has joined the coalition of environmentalists, labor, and climate change experts – no utility companies – supporting this environmental policy proposition.
Today, Alameda County Supervisor and African-American community leader Keith Carson announced his support for the Solar and Clean Energy Proposition. Carson has long led community efforts to reduce poverty, joblessness and bring together diverse community experts to solve shared problems. Carson is at the forefront of a green economy that works for all. He believes the challenge facing California regarding climate change and renewable energy requires a diverse group such as those supporting the Solar and Clean Energy proposition to provide solutions.
“All Californians are in this fight for clean energy together. There is no community that would be spared the effects of climate change and global warming,” said Carson. “That’s why I’m backing this proposition to accelerate California’s speed in moving to renewable energy. It will create thousands of green collar jobs while reducing our use of coal-generated electricity. This proposition is a winner for all Californians.”
Carson was joined this week by San Francisco Supervisor, and LGBT community leader, Bevan Dufty in supporting the proposition. Bevan is respected for working with diverse communities. His support for the renewable energy proposition reflects his belief that more must be done to confront our energy dependence, climate change, and global warming from electricity production. “California needs to embrace renewable energy as quickly and broadly as possible,” said Dufty in announcing his support for the measure. “I’m excited that we will be the first state to have a popular vote on solutions to global warming and climate change. Utilities and their allies don’t want to be pushed to move any faster toward replacing coal-produced electricity with power generated from renewable energy. We can’t wait, and the people need to send a message to the utilities that more can, and should be done.”
Former State Senate President Pro Tempore John Burton also this week announced his support for the renewable energy proposition. Senator Burton compiled a distinguished record as an environmental advocate while in the Legislature. Burton received a score of 100% from the California League of Conservation Voters in 2004, and near-perfect marks in many other legislative years. The Sierra Club has granted him numerous awards for his leadership. In 2002, he passed, with Assemblymember Fran Pavley, as principal co-author, the first bill of its kind, (AB 1493), in the nation to curb greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles.
“The Solar and Clean Energy Act is the next step forward for California. We have made a good start at increasing renewable energy, and this proposition will move us more rapidly along that path,” said Burton “The leading scientists in renewable energy and climate change are alerting us that we have no time to lose in ending our dependence on coal for electricity. I support this proposition because I believe it will spur solar thermal and other renewable power sources of electricity.”
Burton, known as a champion of working families, the poor and the environment, also received a perfect score from the California Labor Federation in 2004 and other years, and compiled a lifetime labor score of 99%. Senator Burton is a former California Democratic Party Chair.
When the Democratic Party’s executive board meets this weekend to consider the proposition, let’s hope they remain true to their tradition of providing a fair hearing to breakthrough environmental public policies.
For more information, please visit: www.solarandcleanenergy.org.
Jim Gonzalez was a chief aide to San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein, and later was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He serves as Chair of the Latino Policy Coalition, a national research organization that studies public policy issues affecting the Latino community. He has spearheaded many progressive ballot measures and is the Prescient of Jim Gonzalez & Associates.
Comments
I offered these utility corporations old proven technology to save energy in their energy savings programs.
My method I use for buildings can reduce ones heating and cooling bill by up to and over 50% with a similar percent reducing emissions after a few years of savings this method is paid for and then goes on for many more years to do more of the same I was told this would ruin their bottom line -- not interested.
If California building owners were to use this method there would be no need for expensive solar or any other alternative energy as what I have pays for itself where the others do not.
Posted by: Gregory Cragg at June 14, 2008 11:16 AM
Prop 7 forces small wind and solar companies out of the market with a “competition elimination” provision that effectively excludes power from renewable plants smaller than 30 megawatts from counting toward the new requirements. Today, nearly 60% of contracts under California’s renewable requirements are with these small providers. The California Solar Energy Industries Association warns: “Proposition 7 would devastate California’s small solar businesses by forcing us out of the market – eliminating a major source of clean power and thousands of jobs.”
Posted by: Repost at August 30, 2008 12:12 AM
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