For Sierra Club lobbyist Jim Metropulos, the big sticking point for Prop. 10 is backer T. Boone Pickens’ financial support for the measure – and possible benefits to Seal Beach-based Clean Energy Fuels, which calls itself North America’s largest natural gas provider for vehicles.
Pickens is part owner of the company. Clean Energy Fuels has pumped $19 million into supporting the initiative.
“This isn’t for the benefit of Californians,” Metropulos said. “This is for the benefit of people within the natural gas industry.”
Although rebates would be available for large, commercial trucks as well as passenger cars, he worries how much real pollution reduction can come without a provision to destroy the old, higher polluting trucks.
In fact, the Sierra Club contends that the measure’s lack of regulatory requirements for pollution reduction could mean any gains could not be properly measured.
Last, he said, the group questions the budget wisdom of the measure – for example, paying over 30 years for cars that will last 10 to 15 years.
“Would you like to be paying back a bond on a car someone bought in 1980?” he asked by way of comparison.
Related coverage:
- Poll: What do you think of the alternative energy propositions?
- Prop. 10: Allocates $5 billion for alternative fuels
- Prop. 10: Supporters say measure moves the state toward broader use of alternative fuels
- Prop 10: Not the only ballot measure to address alternative energy
- Prop. 7 renewable energy plan not inclusive enough, critics say
- All election coverage
