Beam me to Planet Gore !
Posted on 04/10/2008 5:29:27 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
California will establish a high-profile, $600 million research center to devise solutions for global warming, the Public Utilities Commission decided in a 5-0 vote Thursday.
The California Institute for Climate Solutions will have a $60 million budget each year for 10 years. The money will come from ratepayers of the state's major utilities, including Pacific Gas & Electric, which serves much of Northern California.
The new institute, which will seek matching funds to expand its reach, will administer research grants; work to transfer technologies to commercial businesses; and develop a related workforce for these companies.
Undecided is where the new institute will be located, although it will be administered by the University of California system. The Institute will be run by a governing board with the PUC president and the UC president as its co-chairs.
"Innovation - technological and otherwise - is the key to alleviating the adverse consequences of climate change," PUC President Michael Peevey said.
Jennifer Ward, spokeswoman for the University of California's Office of the President, said the institute "will play a critical role in helping California combat and reduce the effects of climate change. It can serve as an important resource for state policy makers, the private sector, and the general public."
Peevey said it's wrong for ratepayers alone to pay for the new institute.
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
PT Barnum was born a century too early.
A ratepayer’s advocacy group, The Utility Reform Network of San Francisco, says the $600 million will go on electric bills that also might increase 30 percent in coming years to fund state-mandated greenhouse-gas-reduction programs.
“By cramming all these well-meaning proposals into electric bills, we may be creating more problems than we’re solving,” said TURN Executive Director Mark Toney. “With the economy in a downward spiral, higher rates mean more and more Californians will be unable to afford essentials like lighting, heating or cooling their homes, and cooking.”
When gubamint becomes a burden on the people instead of remaining a passive protector of all.. it is well nigh time to sharpen the pitchfork tines and prepare to roust the buffoons from their leatherback chairs.
Well, isn't that a good thing? All those things cause carbon emissions. Breathing, too. When they all either starve or freeze to death, won't the greenies be happy?
What am I overlooking?
Here’s a “climate solution” for you - no charge:
FORGET ABOUT IT AND HAVE A BEER!!!
The climate is the climate and you can’t do a damned thing about it.
Oh, good. I’m glad they figured out their budget crisis.
What a dumbass idea happening in a dumbass state with a dumbass legislature and a dumbass governor.
Anybody know if these commissioners are appointed or elected?
What a dumbass idea happening in a dumbass state with a dumbass legislature and a dumbass governor.
Anybody know if these commissioners are appointed or elected?
appointed..
“..$600 million research center to devise solutions for global warming..”
Spending $600 million to devise solutions for something that has not been proven to be true and increasing? This is not hairbrained, this is criminal.
The ratepayers should initiate a class action on it.
The PUC regulates privately owned telecommunications, electric, natural gas, water, railroad, rail transit, and passenger transportation companies, in addition to authorizing video franchises. Our five Governor-appointed Commissioners, as well as our staff, are dedicated to ensuring that consumers have safe, reliable utility service at reasonable rates, protecting against fraud, and promoting the health of California's economy.
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