Stage set for November ballot duels over clean-energy plans

Capitol Weekly ^ | June 26, 2008 | John Howard

[twistedwrench]

Two major ballot initiatives, each emphasizing the need for clean power and renewable energy amid the public's rising concerns over greenhouse gases, will confront California voters in November. On their face, they appear to be straightforward environmental proposals.

But all is not what it seems.

One initiative is being bankrolled by the nation's largest purveyor of vehicular natural gas. And though it's being sold as an environmentally friendly initiative, the measure's sponsor--as well as other energy purveyors--presumably could make millions of dollars if it is approved by voters.

[twistedwrench]

The plan calls for $5 billion in bonds to develop and encourage the use of clean alternative fuels and renewable energy, with half the money going to new or repowered clean vehicles. "Clean alternative fuel" means natural gas and "any fuel that achieves a reduction of at least 10 percent" in carbon emissions. Thus far, the sole financial backer of the initiative-- which includes incentives for passenger cars, trucks and commercial vehicles--is Clean Energy Fuels Corp. of Seal Beach, which has donated about $1.5 million.

The company, whose major shareholders and co-founders include billionaire oilman T. Boone Pickens, has more than 200 fleet customers operating 13,000 natural gas vehicles, with 168 fueling stations in 10 states, by one industry estimate.

"It's T. Boone Pickens raiding the state's general fund," said Lenny Goldberg, a lobbyist for The Utility Reform Network. The general fund is the state's main treasury that includes income, sales and corporation taxes.

[sinanju]

This sounds like a sterling opportunity for Professor Lionel Hutz and his perpetual motion machine.

[C19fan]

The other initiative, drafted by the Manatt Phelps political law firm, would require all utilities--whether municipal or private--to get at least half of their electricity from clean- and solar-power sources by 2025.

If you think your electric bill is too high in CA get ready to be hammered if this passes.

[RightWhale]

Clean energy, alternative energy, renewable energy, cheap energy. Wish list, but not at the top of every wish list.

[twistedwrench]

The company, whose major shareholders and co-founders include billionaire oilman T. Boone Pickens,
has more than 200 fleet customers operating 13,000 natural gas vehicles,with 168 fueling stations in 10 states, by one industry estimate.

It’s already started:
Feds OK ban on older diesel trucks
http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_9618566

Port of Los Angeles prepares for Oct. 1 ‘Clean Truck’launch
http://www.landlinemag.com/todays_news/Daily/2008/Jun08/062308/062308-05.htm
By Dec. 31, 2009, 20 percent of drivers at the Port of Los Angeles will be required to be company employees.
That figure jumps to 66 percent by December 2010,
85 percent by 2011, 95 percent by 2012, and
100 percent by 2013.
Way to go teamsters

[steelyourfaith]

 

Beam me to Planet Gore !

[NormsRevenge]

Thanks for posting this and Welcome to FR!

We need all the California posters we can get to keep at it here!

btw, you don’t need to excerpt stuff from Capitol Weekly. There is a lot of good info in the article re: the players and motivation..

Sometimes, I could almost curse Hiram Johnson.. and his work to get the Initiative process online.

Voters and special interests have perverted it and allowed elected officials to skate and not have to actually make hard decisions themselves... but keeping in California’s longstanding tradition of allowing scoundrels and scalawags harbor without fear of persecution or prosecution, more and more outsiders use the process for their own ends.

—

ping to CCG .. 2 more? gakkk,, rolllfff,, guuuhhhhh

[calcowgirl]

2 more? gakkk,, rolllfff,, guuuhhhhh

Whattsa matter? Too many initiatives for ya?

"Reform" is the newest thing, ya know?

Did ya catch this one?

The other initiative, drafted by the Manatt Phelps political law firm

That would be DEM political law firm, including the firm of Maria's biz manager. ;-)

[NormsRevenge]

I love this new blending of Corporate Legal Gubamint .. don’t you?

brought to you by post-partisans , any bets? ;-]

[calcowgirl]

No bets.

But I’ll join ya in cursin’ Hiram! ;-)

[Entrepreneur]

include billionaire oilman T. Boone Pickens

Pickens used to be an oilman. Then, he figured out he can make more money manipulating commodities futures.

Do not tarnish the name "oilman" by including Boone Pickens in this group of quintessential American capitalists.