One of the most important measures on this years ballot is Proposition 10, which provides $3.425 billion to help consumers purchase certain high fuel economy or alternative fuel vehicles.
Proposition 10 also provides $1.25 billion 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 totals $5 billion in funding.
However, state and local governments will be responsible for a portion of the fiscal impact.
There will be state costs of $10 billion over 30 years to pay off the principal $5 billion and the $5 billion in interest accrued which will result in a sales tax increase in state and local governments.
This measure is a very expensive one and will affect Californians for years to come.
The reason this measure is on the ballot is so that California can wean itself off of gasoline and diesel fuel. As much as 70 percent currently comes from foreign sources, but we could use domestic forms of renewable energy like solar and natural gas instead.
This move would bolster California’s reputation as one of the nation’s leaders in green technology and environmental safety.
Some say that this measure is only on the ballot because a Texas oil man paid for it to be on the ballot so that he can monopolize the natural gas market.
This is not an attempt by anyone to monopolize the market.
This is an attempt to clear a pathway to the future of cleaner technologies to power trucks, buses and automobiles in California.
This measure would give tax breaks to trucking companies for replacing their diesel burning semi-trucks with fuel efficient or alternative fuel vehicles.
Some people say that these companies will use these tax breaks and then send the trucks to other states.
However, the trucks must be registered in California, the owner must have California residency and most states do not have alternative fuel infrastructure which also reduces the probability that these trucks will leave the state.
The positive possibilities that would result from this measure far outweigh any negative consequences that might occur.
California would be the first state to get off its addiction of oil and pave the way for the rest of the nation and the world to follow.
California has some of the world’s brightest minds, and with funding for green technology in colleges being offered, there are endless possibilities for the future.
As Californians, we will have the option of buying a solar, natural gas, hydrogen, gasoline or diesel vehicle which will reduce the demand for gasoline and reduce the price for all forms of fuel.
Passing this measure is very important because we will be making the first step towards the goal of energy independence in California.
We are the future of California.
We are the ones who will have to pay for the costs, but we are also the ones who will receive the benefits of a cleaner California for ourselves and our children.
