But political consultant Jim Gonzalez, a former San Francisco supervisor who leads the initiative campaign said, "Twenty percent is where the utilities would like to stop, and that would let them continue their addiction to coal. This is the opportunity for California to do something visionary."
Gonzalez said he has collected 735,000 signatures; only 433,971 are required to qualify it for the ballot. It will take about two months for counties to certify the signatures and for the secretary of state to place the measure on the November ballot.
The initiative, drafted by the law firm Manatt, Phelps & Philipps, would require the California Energy Commission to identify solar and clean energy zones, primarily in the desert, to jump-start clean power plants.
It also promotes fast-track approval for renewable plant construction, forcing governments to finish the permit process within 100 days. It sets a cap on what utilities must spend on renewables, which, Gonzalez says, ensures that consumers' electricity bills will rise no more than 3%.
Although the initiative raises the total amount a utility can be fined for failing to meet renewable requirements, overall it would reduce many fines by as much as 80%, according to opponents.
Opponents say the initiative's fast-track provision would limit public participation at a time when efforts are underway to clear the path for new transmission lines and new siting of plants. "It is crazy to give local governments only 100 days to comment," Cavanagh said. "That takes a critical constituency and backhands them when they need to support" new renewable plants.
The 3% cap on utility rates would put tighter constraints on renewables than on natural gas or other traditional energy sources, opponents said.
Proponents of the initiative include renowned NASA climate scientist James Hansen, environmental activist Randall Hayes and labor organizer Dolores Huerta, and sponsors say their polling shows 75% public approval for the measure.
Renewable-energy companies opposed to the measure include BrightSource Energy, PPM Energy, Horizon Wind Energy and Schott Solar. Environmental opponents include the California League of Conservation Voters, the Environmental Defense Fund and the Union of Concerned Scientists, along with the California Coalition of Utility Employees and five locals of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
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margot.roosevelt@ latimes.com
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Renewable energy
Currently only 10.9% of California's power comes from renewable energy. A ballot initiative calls for California to get half its energy from renewable sources by 2025.
Percent of California gross system power for 2006
Natural Gas: 41.5%
Large hydro: 19%
Coal: 15.7%
Nuclear: 12.9%
Renewables: 10.9%
Percent of total renewables 2006
Biomass: 2.1%
Geothermal: 4.7%
Small hydro: 2.1%
Solar: 0.2%
Wind: 1.8%
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Source: California Energy Commission
