“David Freeman and the CPA say they favor renewable energy, but
follow the money and you’ll see major investments in polluting
fossil fuels, specifically peaker power plants,” said JP Ross,
Greenpeace Policy Analyst. “It’s time to stop the mad rush to lock
Californians into a fossil fuel energy future.”
Ross noted a recent study by Stanford professor Mark Jacobson,
published in the journal Science that concluded that the cost of
wind power is cost competitive with coal and natural gas when
global climate change and pollution is taken into
consideration.
On the state level, Greenpeace is pushing two key demands:
- That the CPA stay true to the spirit of its “Energy Resource
Investment Plan” by being thorough and deliberative in its decision
making process, and involving full public consultation at all
times. - That $2 billion be earmarked for financing clean energy
sources, in particular wind and solar, in addition to the $1
billion that is already set aside for conservation and demand-side
management financing
Some Californians will soon have an opportunity to make a major
statement in favor of solar and other renewable power, despite the
CPA’s actions. On November 6th, San Franciscans will vote on two
ballot initiatives (Propositions B and H), which will pave the way
for the city to install up to 70 Mw of solar power.
Greenpeace’s solar truck is touring San Francisco and other
parts of the state to promote solar energy. The truck carries an
array of solar panels capable of producing 2.4 kilowatts of solar
power. It has the capacity to continuously power three energy
efficient homes or a concert for 3,000 people.
“San Francisco and the whole state
of California has the opportunity to lead the nation in paving the
way to a green and clean energy future, independent of the whims of
fossil fuel companies or big utilities,” said Danny Kennedy,
Greenpeace’s Clean Energy Now! Campaign Director.
