Proposition C
Green Mandates Threaten All Utility Services
Vote NO
Proposition C (Proposed through citizen initiative petition)
Official Ballot Title: (What you will see in the voting booth)
Shall Missouri law be amended to require investor-owned electric utilities to generate or purchase electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass and hydropower with the renewable energy sources equaling at least 2% of retail sales by 2011 increasing incrementally to at least 15% by 2021, including at least 2% from solar energy; and restricting to no more than 1% any rate increase to consumers for this renewable energy?
The estimated direct cost to state governmental entities is $395,183. It is estimated there are no direct costs or savings to local governmental entities. However, indirect costs may be incurred by state and local governmental entities if the proposal results in increased electricity retail rates.
Missouri Family Network Analysis: (Why vote NO on Proposition C)
On first read Proposition C sounds great. But how can statutory law force utility producers/providers to meet artificial thresholds for alternative energy sales and not allow the cost for producing the energy to be paid for? Yes, utility companies operate in tens and hundreds of millions of dollars annually. But these high dollars are derived from shear volume of customers. This mandate is impractical to impose and could very well result in an energy train-wreck similar to California’s disaster. (All the same elements will be set in motion that led to the California nightmare.)
Establish any business with a relatively small margin of profit (remember utilities are like McDonalds, the huge profits are in the huge customer base). Now you have only two years to find and replace 2% of your product line with alternative sales. In just another ten years you are required to come up with alternative sources of product for no less than 15% of your total sales without passing on the cost to your customers! Get real!
Environmentalists often feed on one another’s latest fears. If they sell Proposition C to Missouri, buckle up because we may be in for a rough ride. Quality and reliability can be expected to take a nose dive as preventative services for electrical delivery is forced to absorb financial shocks. Don’t expect the same amiable customer services from operators and linemen when they are all discouraged with wage cuts. And when future natural disasters hit Missouri – don’t expect those caravans of work crews from around the country flooding in to restore power in days instead of weeks, because Missouri utilities simply will not be able to pay for such services.
Alternative energy is a wonderful goal that most of us support with anticipation. But the artificial demands of Proposition C are unworkable and unwise. If it passes, don’t expect it to survive. The Legislature will be forced to rewrite it by the complaints and demands of the very folks who voted ‘yes’ thinking it was a good idea, yet unaware of the economics of energy production/delivery. A ‘no’ vote with a degree of faith in the free market is a much wiser path until a more reasonable plan is put forward.
Missouri Family Network
~ Defending the Traditional Family ~
for over twenty-four years!
MissouriFamilyNetwork.net
Your financial support is greatly appreciated.
Thank You!
