Once Again, Yes on Proposition 87, Do Not Believe Oil Company Lies

On Tuesday, November 7, 2006, California voters will have the opportunity to vote for a step toward energy independence and a cleaner environment for all Californians.   Proposition 87 will impose a tax of  1.5 to 6%, on the extraction of oil in California, depending on the price of oil.   Similar taxes are imposed by other states including Alaska, Louisiana, Okalahoma and even Texas.  Other states ask oil companies to pay their fair share, like all citizens do, why shouldn't California be the same.  The Proposition will  fund  a California Energy Independence Fund with the fund of up to $4 billion used for programs to be administered by new California Energy Alternatives Program Authority.  The Authority will be composed of nine members from the environmental, business, health and energy fields.  The Authority will be tasked with (from the legislative analysis of the Proposition [PDF]):   

• Gasoline and Diesel Use Reduction Account (57.50  Percent)—for incentives (for example, consumer loans,  grants, and subsidies) for the purchase of alternative fuel  vehicles, incentives for producers to supply alternative  fuels, incentives for the production of alternative fuel  infrastructure (for example, fueling stations), and grants  and loans for private research into alternative fuels and  alternative fuel vehicles.

• Research and Innovation Acceleration Account  (26.75 Percent)—for grants to California universities  to improve the economic viability and accelerate the  commercialization of renewable energy technologies and  energy effi ciency technologies.

• Commercialization  Acceleration  Account  (9.75  Percent)—for incentives to fund the start-up costs and  accelerate the production and distribution of petroleum  reduction, renewable energy, energy efficiency,  and  alternative fuel technologies and products.

• Public Education and Administration Account (3.50  Percent)—for public education campaigns, oil market  monitoring, and general administration. Of the 3.5 percent,  at least 28.5 percent must be spent for public education,  leaving a maximum of 71.5 percent of the 3.5 percent (or  roughly 2.5 percent of total revenues) for the Authority’s  administrative costs.

• Vocational Training Account (2.50 Percent)—for job  training at community colleges to train students to work  with new alternative energy technologies.   

The cost of the oil tax, will not be able to be passed onto consumers by the oil companies who have fleeced the people of California with some of the highest prices in the nation and taken home record profits.  Through the Proposition, incentives would  lower the  amount of fossil fuel use helping our atmosphere, reducing global warming and impacting public health.  California has an opportunity once again in November to be a leader and a shining example in care for the environment, reducing global warming, and clean renewable energy for the nation and for the planet.  I am sure that by now you have heard and seen many advertisements in opposition to Proposition 87.   Do not believe the lies that are being spread by the oil companies, their energy allies and special interests.  They have sunk to new lows with their deceptive advertising bombarding the airwaves with deception as thick as the oil they pump freely.  Take a stand for energy independence and a cleaner environment and vote yes on Propostion 87.