2008 California Proposition 10

none California Proposition 10, also known as the California Alternative Fuels Initiative, was an unsuccessful initiated state statute that appeared on the November 2008 ballot in California. Proposition 10 was funded by Clean Energy Fuels Corp.,https://www.cleanenergyfuels.com How sustainability goals become reality Clean Energy Fuels 2021-11-08 2022-03-27 a corporation owned by T. Boone Pickens. Clean Energy Fuels Corp. is the nation's leading operator of natural gas vehicle fueling stations. Proposition 10 was one of two ballot initiatives focusing on alternative fuels that appeared on the November 4, 2008 ballot in California. Both propositions were rejected by voters that day. Proponents believe the proposal would have: Helped consumers and others purchase certain high fuel economy or alternative fuel vehicles, including natural gas vehicles, and to fund research into alternative fuel technology. Provided 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. Provided grants to cities for renewable energy projects and to colleges for training in renewable and energy efficiency technologies. Provisions of the initiative The initiative authorizes $5 billion in bonds paid from state’s General Fund, allocated approximately as follows: 58% in cash payments of between $2,000 and $50,000 to purchasers of certain high fuel economy and alternative fuel vehicles; 20% in incentives for research, development and production of renewable energy technology; 11% in incentives for research and development of alternative fuel vehicle technology; 5% in incentives for purchase of renewable energy technology; 4% in grants to eight cities for education about these technologies; and 3% in grants to colleges to train students in these technologies. Estimate of fiscal impact According to the government's fiscal analysis office, the initiative would entail: State costs of about $9.8 billion over 30 years to pay both the principal ($5 billion) and interest ($4.8 billion) costs on the bond. Payments of about $325 million per year. Increase in state sales tax revenues of an unknown amount, potentially totaling in the tens of millions of dollars, over the period from 2009 to beyond 2018. Increase in local sales tax and VLF revenues of an unknown amount, potentially totaling in the tens of millions of dollars, over the period from 2009 to about 2018-19. Potential state costs of up to about $10 million annually, through about 2018 -19, for state agency administrative costs not funded by the measure. Supporters T. Boone Pickens Allison Hart, Mitzi Dudley and Thomas Daly filed the initial ballot language. Funding and Boone Pickens Reports filed through December 31, 2008 listed four major donors to the initiative: Clean Energy Fuels Corp.http://cal-access.ss.ca.gov/PDFGen/pdfgen.prg?filingid=1398308&amendid=0 Archived copy 2011-07-29 2012-03-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20120317233930/http://cal-access.ss.ca.gov/PDFGen/pdfgen.prg?filingid=1398308&amendid=0 dead donated $18,647,250. Clean Energy Fuels Corp. is owned by T. Boone Pickens.http://investors.cleanenergyfuels.com/directors.cfm Leadership 2011-08-09 2007-08-30 https://web.archive.org/web/20070830021635/http://investors.cleanenergyfuels.com/directors.cfm dead Chesapeake Energy contributed $3,000,000. Aubrey McClendon, $500,000. McClendon lives in Oklahoma and is the co-founder of Chesapeake Energy.http://cal-access.sos.ca.gov/Campaign/Committees/Detail.aspx?id=1303380&session=2007&view=late1 List of $5,000 + donors to Proposition 10 Westport Fuel Systems, $250,000. On August 11, it was disclosed that U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is an investor in CEFC.,Pelosi #dontgo Bombshell: Money, August 11, 2008http://scottsmb.com/uploads/N00007360_2007.pdf Nancy Pelosi's financial disclosure statement for 2007 2008-10-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20090325193910/http://scottsmb.com/uploads/N00007360_2007.pdf 2009-03-25 dead 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."New York Times Green Inc. blog, "The Pickens Plan and Proposition 10", September 25, 2008 Arguments in favor of Prop. 10 The main arguments offered in favor of Prop. 10 are: 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. Will reduce dependence on foreign fuel and stop US dollars from going to hostile foreign governments. The diesel trucks that would be replaced produce dangerous pollution. Significant improvement in California Air quality, reduction of Air Pollution. Alternatives to high-priced gasoline are important.http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/argu-rebut/argu-rebutt10.htm California voter guide, arguments for and against Prop. 10 2008-10-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20081002005945/http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/argu-rebut/argu-rebutt10.htm 2008-10-02 dead 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.Expenditure detail Opponents Opposed by An official opposition group called "No on Proposition 10, Californians Against the $10 Billion Lemon, Sponsored by the Consumer Federation of California", registered with the California Secretary of State. The organization raised approximately $171,000, primarily from labor unions.Campaign filing for No on Proposition 10; Californians against the $10 Billion LemonRecipient Committee Campaign Statement Consumer Federation of California Executive Director Richard Holober managed the No on Proposition 10 campaign. The No on Proposition 10 campaign won endorsements from every major labor, consumer, taxpayer, business and environmental organization in California,https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pul7qsD3HFsaXU4iCX9klag California Proposition Endorsements: November 4, 2008 2011-08-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20121026091413/https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pul7qsD3HFsaXU4iCX9klag 2012-10-26 dead including the California Labor Federation, the Sierra Club, The Natural Resources Defense Council, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, the California Taxpayers Association, the California Democratic Party, and the California Chamber of Commerce. Forty daily newspapers wrote editorials against Proposition 10. 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. 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"Los Angeles Times, "Reject Proposition 10", September 19, 2008 The Santa Monica Mirror said, "Self-serving Prop. 10 sounds good, should lose".Santa Monica Mirror, Self-Serving Prop. 10 Sounds Good, Should Lose", September 18, 2008 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".San Francisco Chronicle, "Why Proposition 10 is a boondoggle", September 25, 2008 Results thumb|250px|Electoral votes by county. Proposition 10http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2008_general/sov_complete.pdf Statement of Vote: 2008 General Election California Secretary of State 2008-12-13 2009-02-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20121018225250/http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2008_general/sov_complete.pdf 2012-10-18 dead 5098666 12562820 7464154 79.42 1180357 References Further 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 https://web.archive.org/web/20080918022938/http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2008/09/my_take_on_t_bo.html 18 September 2008 , by Judy Dugan. Political winds buffet California measures on energy https://web.archive.org/web/20080918010244/http://www.sacbee.com/294/story/1235833.html 18 September 2008 , Sacramento Bee, September 15, 2008. Why should we vote for Prop 10? Prop 10: Fueling a cleaner California 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 https://web.archive.org/web/20081002192301/http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/pend_sig/init_sample_1332.pdf 2 October 2008 Number nine, number nine, number nine, Los Angeles Times, June 6, 2008 CaliforniaPropositions.org Prop 10 information page https://web.archive.org/web/20081013083709/http://www.californiapropositions.org/prop10.html 13 October 2008 10 Category:Initiatives in the United States