California Proposition 10 (2008)
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California Proposition 10, also known as the California Alternative Fuels Initiative, is an initiated state statute that appeared on the November 2008 ballot in California. The measure failed, winning a 40.4% "yes" vote.[1]
Proposition 10 was one of two ballot initiatives focusing on alternative fuels to appear on the November 4 ballot in California. The other was Proposition 7. Both failed.
Election results
| California Proposition 10: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | Percentage | |||
| Yes | 4,966,867 | 40.4% | ||
NO 
| 7,303,418 | 59.6% | ||
| Total votes | 12,270,285 | 100% | ||
Specific provisions
The proposal would have:
- Help consumers and others purchase certain high fuel economy or alternative fuel vehicles, including natural gas vehicles, and to fund research into alternative fuel technology.
- Provide funding for research, development and production of renewable energy technology, primarily solar energy with additional funding for other forms of renewable energy; incentives for purchasing solar and renewable energy technology.
- Provide grants to cities for renewable energy projects and to colleges for training in renewable and energy efficiency technologies.
Supporters
- American Cancer Society, California Division
- South Coast Air Quality Management District
- T. Boone Pickens
- Allison Hart, Mitzi Dudley and Thomas Daly filed the initial ballot language.
- Assorted politicians including Barack Obama have mentioned publicly that they support the efforts of T. Boone Pickens.
Funding and Boone Pickens
As of November 1, there are four major listed donors to the initiative:
- The Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (CEFC), which has donated $17,747,250.
- Chesapeake Energy, $3,000,000.
- Aubrey McClendon, $500,000. McClendon lives in Oklahoma and is the co-founder of Chesapeake Energy.[2]
- Westport Fuel Systems, $250,000.
On August 11, it was disclosed that U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is an investor in CEFC.[3],[4]
Todd Campbell, Clean Energy's public policy director, in response to criticisms about CLNE sponsoring Prop. 10 because of potential benefits to the company told an 'Associated Press reporter, "I don’t think it’s a given that Clean Energy is going to cash in. I wish it were that simple."[5]
Arguments in favor of Prop. 10
The main arguments offered in favor of Prop. 10 included:
- The funding it provides will allow the generation of electricity from renewable sources, and provide consumer rebates for the purchase or lease of "clean alternative fuel vehicles".
- The funding will allow the replacement of older polluting diesel trucks with clean alternative fuel trucks and provide for research into alternative fuels.
- The proposal will reduce dependence on foreign fuel and stop US dollars from going to hostile foreign governments.
- The diesel trucks that could be replaced produce dangerous pollution.
- Significant improvement in California Air quality, reduction of Air Pollution.
- Will provide earth-friendly and cheaper alternatives to high-priced gasoline.[6]
Consultants
As of September 18, consultants working to pass Proposition 10 include:
- Forde and Mollrich.
- Wilson-Miller Communications.
- Greenberg, Quinlan, Rosner Research.[7]
Path to the ballot
Prop. 10 was qualified for the ballot through a petition drive conducted by Progressive Campaigns, Inc., at a cost of $2,418,178 and Forde and Mollrich, which was paid $660,084 for signatures. The total signature cost was $3,078,263.[8]
Opponents
Opposition group
An officially filed opposition group called "No on Proposition 10, Californians against the $10 Billion Lemon" formed and registered with the California Secretary of State. Through November 1, the group reported having raised $125,000.[9]
Arguments against Prop. 10
- Would require taking $10 billion out of the state's general fund over a 30 year period.
- There are relatively few mechanics who know how to fix natural-gas engines and few filling stations offer natural gas.
Polling information
- See also Polls, 2008 ballot measures.
| Month of Poll | Pollster | In Favor | Opposed | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2008 | Field | 49 percent | 39 percent | 12 percent[10] |
Newspaper endorsements
Opposed to Prop. 10
The Los Angeles Times editorialized against Prop. 10 on September 19, saying, "Spending bond money on something as intangible as privately owned vehicles is a terrible idea unless there is a clear public benefit."[11] The Santa Monica Mirror said, "Self-serving Prop. 10 sounds good, should lose".[12]
The San Francisco Chronicle is opposed, writing, "The chief backer and bill payer for the measure is T. Boone Pickens, the folksy Texas oilman and apostle for energy independence who founded a firm that just happens to supply natural gas for cars and trucks".[13]
External links
- Facts on Prop 10, official website supporting Prop. 10.
- No on 10 Website - A project of the Consumer Federation of California
- Official California voter guide for Proposition 10
- Full text of the initiative
- Signature count pending
- CaliforniaPropositions.org Prop 10 information page
- California Voter Online guide to Proposition 10
- Smart Voter Guide to Proposition 10
- Institute of Governmental Studies Hot Topic: Proposition 10
References
- ↑ Official election results
- ↑ List of $5,000 + donors to Proposition 10
- ↑ Pelosi #dontgo Bombshell: Money, August 11, 2008
- ↑ Nancy Pelosi's financial disclosure statement for 2007
- ↑ New York Times Green Inc. blog, "The Pickens Plan and Proposition 10", September 25, 2008
- ↑ California voter guide, arguments for and against Prop. 10
- ↑ Expenditures of the Prop 10 campaign committee
- ↑ Expenditure detail
- ↑ Campaign filing for No on Proposition 10; Californians against the $10 Billion Lemon
- ↑ Sacramento Bee, "Survey says: Poll numbers for Props. 1A, 3, 4, 10 and 12", November 1, 2008
- ↑ Los Angeles Times, "Reject Proposition 10", September 19, 2008
- ↑ Santa Monica Mirror, Self-Serving Prop. 10 Sounds Good, Should Lose", September 18, 2008
- ↑ San Francisco Chronicle, "Why Proposition 10 is a boondoogle", September 25, 2008
Additional reading
- Opinion: Proposition 10 fights global warming
- 2 energy propositions flawed, critics say, San Francisco Chronicle.
- My Take on T. Boone's California Prop 10, by Judy Dugan.
- Political winds buffet California measures on energy, Sacramento Bee, September 15, 2008.
- Why should we vote for Prop 10?
- Prop 10: Fueling a cleaner California
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