Incentives drive clean energy sources

Proposition 10, the California Clean and Renewable Fuels Act, attempts to provide $5 billion from general obligation funds for the purpose of helping consumers convert their vehicles to more energy-efficient alternatives.


According to the 2008 Voter Information Guide, the bill will provide $3.425 billion for individual rebates and financial incentives to convert to more fuel-efficient vehicles and energy sources.


An additional $1.25 billion will be provided for research and production of more cost-efficient and environmentally conscious electricity generation.


Spokesperson for the Yes on 10 campaign Amy Thoma said, "We believe Prop. 10 is a measure that will allow Californians to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and get more energy from renewable sources like solar and wind."

A study conducted by TIAX, an environmentalist organization of scientists and engineers, projected Prop. 10 would remove 4.1 million tons of greenhouse gas in a year.


Opponents of Prop. 10, however, label it a scam.


Communications Director of the Consumer Federation of California Zack Kaldveer said T. Boone Pickens, an Oklahoma oilman and billionaire, financed the bill and will profit from its passing.


Kaldveer and groups such as Consumer Watchdog, the California Nurses Association and the California Federation of Teachers also argue there is no real requirement air quality is improved.


Proposed rebates would be available to every Californian to convert their cars to more energy-efficient fuel sources.


Kaldveer said this "first come, first served" basis does not properly gauge who needs the rebates and how the money would be effectively used to lower the amount of pollution in the air.


He said there are no mechanisms in place to make sure that the rebates would go to Californians.


"Every major environmental rights group in the state is against it."


Contact Francisco Rendon at frendon.advocate@gmail.com.