The CSAC Board of Directors voted today to oppose Prop. 16, the initiative that would limit local government’s ability to expand local energy programs. While the board was presented with both sides of the argument, their decision was relatively quick and easy.  CSAC’s Agriculture & Natural Resources Policy Committee and Executive Committee had both already recommended an “oppose” position.  CSAC’s policy supports measures that enhance the public power options available to local governments. Prop. 16 does just the opposite.  

In a nutshell, Prop. 16 is a constitutional amendment that would require local governments to win approval of two-thirds of voters before providing electricity to residents through a local utility or community-choice program. In other words, if a community wants to use an alternative to a private utility, two-thirds of the voters must agree.  It’s extremely difficult to get anything passed by two-thirds vote. PG&E and other private utilities are banking on this fact. Politically, the initiative is a smart move.  Whether it’s good public policy is another story.  Prop. 16 is a poster child of the pitfalls of our initiative process: If any individual or any group has enough money, they can get an initiative on the ballot.   

CSAC has had a productive and close partnership with PG&E and other private utilities over the years; it’s a partnership we highly value and will continue to do so. But on this one, we just had to say “no.”