Prop H And The SPUR Voter Guide
A letter to the editor opposing Prop H, penned by my great friend Laura (of the San Francisco Planning & Urban Research Association (SPUR)), was published in the Chronicle today. Writes Laura:
Proposition H will not bring more renewable energy to San Francisco. Prop. H is so poorly written that it could even result in our electricity mix becoming dirtier. Across the state, renewable energy developers and utilities alike are scrambling to add solar, wind, and other renewable projects to the grid, in order to meet strict state energy rules. The rules will be even stricter next year when our landmark climate change legislation, AB32, takes effect. Our real "clean energy" challenges are improving transmission - to the city and throughout the state - and lowering peak-time demand through energy efficiency. San Francisco taking ownership of the local distribution system will not solve these challenges at all. What we'll get with Prop. H is one of our largest employers leaving the city, a loss of oversight and support from the state to meet clean energy targets that apply to private utilities, and an aging local grid that won't have workers to repair it. There's simply no evidence the city will do a better job running the local grid than PG&E does. Prop, H is a distraction from the real goal of bringing about a clean energy future for San Francisco.
I'm a big fan of SPUR, dating back even before they showed their characteristic wisdom and hired Laura. My favorite SPUR publication is their voter guide for SF/CA propositions. The guide is transparent, thoroughly researched and well-considered.
If you're having trouble cutting through the double-talk and getting to the core of ballot issues this November, give the SPUR Voter Guide a look-see.