Proposition 16

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Victory on Proposition 16: Many David's Beat Goliath

--But Goliath Will Be Back

On June 8th, Californian voters stood up against corporate influence over politics and defeated Proposition 16, even though Pacific Gas and Electric spent $46 million trying to pass it – outspending the No on 16 coalition by almost 500 to 1. Prop. 16 sought to kill cheaper, cleaner public power and community choice energy programs that might compete with private utilities by requiring a near-impossible two-thirds super-majority to pass such a clean energy plan. But Californians were too smart to fall for a corporate-sponsored spin campaign. The Greenlining Institute is proud to have been part of the grassroots coalition that made this victory possible.

A New Goliath is Coming to California

Taking a page from Proposition 16's playbook, two Texas oil companies, Valero and Tesoro, are trying to deceive Californian voters with a new measure, the deceptively labeled "California Jobs Initiative" that just qualified for the November ballot.  These two oil giants have already spent more than $2 million to qualify this ballot measure that seeks to kill our state's landmark clean energy law, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32). Click HERE to read LA Times article about effort to suspend California's climate laws
 
Just as with Prop. 16, Californians should be ready to ask some tough questions about this new scheme. Are big oil companies like Tesoro and Valero really concerned about protecting our states' jobs? Or are they just interested in protecting their record profits?

Protect Our Right To Choose Clean Energy: Vote No on Proposition 16!

On May 4^th,Greenlining Institute wrote a letter to PG&E President and CEO Peter Darbee opposing Proposition 16.  Proposition 16, called the "Taxpayer's Right to Vote" by PG&E - the ballot proposition's sponsor - is up for election on June 8^th.

What Would Proposition 16 Do?

Prop 16 would rewrite California’s constitution to create a new two-thirds super-majority requirement before local governments could expand or create a public power agency, or establish a Community Choice Energy program.

The budget gridlock that results from a 2/3 voting requirement in Sacramento teaches us just how difficult it can be to pass a 2/3 vote.

The Facts About Prop 16:

• PG&E has spent $44 million of ratepayers' money to pass Proposition 16 in an attempt to rewrite the Constitution for the sole financial benefit of one company.
  
• Prop 16 would not reduce energy rates. PG&E's energy rates have gone up 60% in the last 9 years.
  
• While low-income and unemployed Californians struggle to pay their utility bills PG&E is now asking for $4.2 billion more in rate hikes over the next three years.
  
• Regulators have told PG&E that the company is violating state law with its "misleading" advertising and that "PG&E must refrain from sending any mailers of this nature in the future." To read what regulators are saying click here

The Alternative: Community Choice Energy

There are numerous economic and environmental benefits that Community Choice Energy programs can provide for low-income and minority communities in California.  Community Choice Energy non-profit programs are one of the most promising new ways for local governments to:

• Generate thousands of new, local clean energy green jobs.
• Fight global warming locally by investing in more local clean and renewable energy and do it cheaper to save taxpayers money on energy bills.
• Establish greater local autonomy over the kinds of energy that local communities would like to buy - thus increasing consumer choice and democratic community participation!

Proposition 16 Would Harm Low-income Communities and Communities of Color by:

1.Killing competition for cheaper and cleaner energy through an amendment in our state's Constitution.

2.Prevent consumer choice to choose local green jobs, cleaner air, and local investments in clean, renewable energy.

Stand Up For Our Democracy! Vote NO on 16!

In a democracy, it's votes that should count, not how much money you have.  Help us send a message that $44 million does not equal 44 million votes!

Tell your friends, family, and professional networks to Stand Up for Clean Energy, Community Choice, and Local Green Jobs.  Vote NO on Prop 16!

For more information or to get involved, contact Braelan Murray at braelanm@greenlining.org or at 510.926.4011.

Take Action!

• Sign Up for Updates
• Help Get Out The Vote!
• Forward to Your Network
• Speak Out and Be Heard!  Protest March, Rally, and Public Hearing at 5 pm on May 24^th at Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco!
• Donate to the No on 16 Campaign
• Endorse the No on 16 Campaign
• Download the No Prop 16 Outreach Toolkit
• Fan us on Facebook
• Join us at Twitter
• Volunteer for the No on 16 Campaign
  
• Volunteer for the No on 16 Bay Area Field Campaign

Resources to Learn More

• Greenlining Institute's Letter to PG&E CEO Peter Darbee
• No on 16 Films
• Who Opposes Proposition 16?
• What Newspapers Say about Proposition 16
• Senator Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg's Letter to Peter Darbee
• California Public Utilities Commission's (CPUC) Position on Proposition 16
• CPUC's Letter to PG&E Regarding Proposition 16
• The CPUC's Official Decision Regarding PG&E and Proposition 16
• CPUC Decision Regarding PG&E's Illegal Use of Mailers

Key Election Dates

Early Voting Begins: Monday, May 10th
Last Day to Register to Vote: Monday, May 24th
Last Day to Request a Mail-In Ballot: Tuesday, June 1st
Election Day: Tuesday, June 8th