Energy Program News

Voters Also Strike Down “False Start” Clean Energy Measures 

California voters approved Proposition 1A, the Safe, Reliable High Speed Passenger Train Bond Act yesterday by a margin of four percentage points. The act approves nearly $10 billion in bond money to build a modern “bullet train” linking northern and southern California and in so doing promising to reduce air pollution.

“Californians showed their support once again for modern, clean energy technologies with their approval of Prop 1A, the high-speed rail bond,” said Bernadette Del Chiaro, clean energy advocate for Environment California, one of several environmental organizations that endorsed the measure. “Better public transportation is critical to solving global warming and creating real energy independence in California.”

At the same time that voters approved Prop 1A, they also struck down Props 7 and 10, both strongly opposed by environmental and consumer groups around the state.

Proposition 7, the Renewable Energy Generation Initiative, sought to increase renewable electricity mandates but was opposed by nearly every environmental organization because of drafting flaws that locked in loopholes for utility compliance, among other cited problems. It gained only 35% of the vote.

“The backers of Prop 7 meant well but missed the mark in putting together the kind of clean energy policy California needs to move the clean energy ball forward,” said Del Chiaro. “The voters understand that just as you can’t judge a book by its cover, you also can’t judge a ballot initiative by its title or TV commercials.”  

A similar fate stuck the T. Boone Pickens-backed initiative, Proposition 10, Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy which garnered only 40% of the vote.

“Californians were not be fooled by clever packaging and fancy TV ads,” concluded Del Chiaro. “This initiative was a special interest give-away to the natural gas industry and voters rightly said ‘no way’”.  

Environment California was quick to clarify that the failure of Props 7 and 10 in no way reflects negatively upon the strong support for renewable energy or clean, alternative-fueled vehicles in the state.

“The fact that voters struck down Props 7 and 10 does not mean Californian’s support for clean energy solutions has waned,” said Del Chiaro. “On the contrary, Californians are keenly interested in promoting real, big and bold clean energy solutions as demonstrated by their willingness to pass Prop 1A.”

More information on Environment California's position on Props 1A, 7 and 10 can be found at http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/issues/election-2008/2008-ballot-measures.