October 3, 2008
Is the Clean Energy Prop a Dirty Vote?
The No on Prop 7 ads have been airing for awhile now (you know, the ones that say "stop another costly flawed energy scheme"?) and this week, the Yes on Prop 7 side launched their own (one of them is above).
It's a confusing proposition and as the LA Times said in their dissenting editorial, "it's rare to see an initiative attract the diversity of opposition that Proposition 7 has." They're referring to both Democratic and Republican parties as well as environmental groups all joining together to say no on this proposition that they say has good intentions, but will have ill effects on the progress of clean energy.
If you look at who's contributing to each side, it looks like a fight between a select few. On the proponents side, you've got just two people and the opposition is basically made up of three major California utilities with the moral support of major environmental groups. Unlike Prop 8, where donations from individuals are being aggressively solicited in communities across the state, Prop 7 has the public on the sidelines. That is, until Election Day.



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Not sure the cowboy hat is really going to do it for California voters.
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My biggest problem with the opposition to Prop 8 is that they are really trying to link this to the California energy crisis of 2000-2001. I think that's rather bogus, given the real cause. Also, when has the industry ever pushed for new energy alternatives?
That said, alternative energy needs to be profitable, or subsidized, and neither is possible at this time, for very different reasons. Perhaps it will be profitable soon, but that time isn't now and I'm not sure forcing the utilities will lead to any quicker results.
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DB means prop 7, not prop 8.
Or is it that people who are against making it illegal for gay couples to get equal rights are somehow linking their fight to the California energy crisis.
No, i'm gonna stick with it just being a typo. Beyond that, good point. The policy is flawed in many more ways than just the mandate issues. It actually makes it harder for small businesses that provide solar panels to individuals to compete, and will put them out of business.
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Yikes! I've got Prop 8 on the brain (try working for a Mormon boss sometime).
Yes, I meant Prop 7, though the wingers are trying to link the financial crisis to gay folk. God's mad at America, dontcha know.
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"... the wingers are trying to link the financial crisis to gay folk. God's mad at America, dontcha know."
Wow! Smiting the financial markets? Now that's a new trick even for gawd. Usually he/she just settles for a good old fasioned plauge or flood or something.