Earth Equity News

Controversial 'Green' Energy Measures Fail in California. Eric Baily, LATimes, November 5, 2008. "Two measures [suposedly] offering a boost to renewable energy were defeated. Proposition 7, would have required public and private utilities to obtain at least 20% of the electricity from renewable sources by 2010 and 50% by 2025. Opposition came not only from big energy providers such as Edison International and PG&E, but also from [environmental leaders who said] the measure had loopholes that could stall development of green power... Prop 7: Renewable energy -- Yes 35.1% No 64.9% [95% of vote]... Proposition 10, which proposed $5 billion in rebates for buyers of alternative-fuel vehicles, was also rejected. Among the big backers was Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens, a major player in the natural gas and wind energy industries, which could be prime beneficiaries. He and other proponents said the measure would reduce the state's dependence on foreign oil, help clean the air and create thousands of green technology jobs. Opponents called the measure a boondoggle that would mostly benefit natural-gas companies... Prop 10: Alternative fuels -- Yes 40.1% No 59.9% [95% of vote]"