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Proposition C: power for change
Charlie Upchurch
Issue date: 11/17/08 Section: News
Proposition C passed Nov. 4 in Missouri with nearly two-thirds of voting citizens in favor of the initiative.
Proposition C will require investor-owned, electric utilities to generate or purchase from renewable energy sources that will equal at least two percent of retail sales by 2011, and 15 percent by 2021, including at least two percent from solar energy, according to the ballot.
"It says a lot about the direction we are headed as a population," said Katy Kiefer, Kansas City coordinator for the Missouri Clean Energy Initiative. "The development of renewable energy is understood as important and necessary for a healthy, sustainable society."
Opponents of the measure fear Prop C will increase cost to consumers substantially.
"The truth is that renewables have the potential to provide cheaper energy in the future," Kiefer said. "Given the expectation of high fossil fuel costs in years to come and legislation regulating greenhouse gas emissions, Missourians are expected to save a substantial amount of money."
One of the stipulations of the proposition is a one percent cap on the cost to consumers. The cap is a reassurance prices will not skyrocket.
The cost per month is expected to increase by $0.50 per month in the first few years, but should end up saving consumers about $1.60 per month in later years.
Prop C is projected to create a net savings of $331 million for Missourians over the 20-year period, according to Kiefer.
Other parts of the legislation will allow additional benefits for consumers like a rebate program that makes it cheaper for Missourians to install solar panels on their homes.
"The solar panel rebate will make renewable energy and its benefits accessible for all people, not just the energy companies," said Tyler Antrup, junior, Urban Planning and Design, and Kansas City volunteer for the Missouri Clean Energy.
In addition to solar power, Missourians can expect to see other forms of clean energy popping up.
Proposition C will require investor-owned, electric utilities to generate or purchase from renewable energy sources that will equal at least two percent of retail sales by 2011, and 15 percent by 2021, including at least two percent from solar energy, according to the ballot.
"It says a lot about the direction we are headed as a population," said Katy Kiefer, Kansas City coordinator for the Missouri Clean Energy Initiative. "The development of renewable energy is understood as important and necessary for a healthy, sustainable society."
Opponents of the measure fear Prop C will increase cost to consumers substantially.
"The truth is that renewables have the potential to provide cheaper energy in the future," Kiefer said. "Given the expectation of high fossil fuel costs in years to come and legislation regulating greenhouse gas emissions, Missourians are expected to save a substantial amount of money."
One of the stipulations of the proposition is a one percent cap on the cost to consumers. The cap is a reassurance prices will not skyrocket.
The cost per month is expected to increase by $0.50 per month in the first few years, but should end up saving consumers about $1.60 per month in later years.
Prop C is projected to create a net savings of $331 million for Missourians over the 20-year period, according to Kiefer.
Other parts of the legislation will allow additional benefits for consumers like a rebate program that makes it cheaper for Missourians to install solar panels on their homes.
"The solar panel rebate will make renewable energy and its benefits accessible for all people, not just the energy companies," said Tyler Antrup, junior, Urban Planning and Design, and Kansas City volunteer for the Missouri Clean Energy.
In addition to solar power, Missourians can expect to see other forms of clean energy popping up.
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