CDC Platform

ENERGY GOALS

California shall work towards energy independence achieved through economical, efficient and safe, non-polluting sources.

The State of California shall mandate conservation of energy in private and public buildings. Tax incentives shall be offered for all construction designed and sited according to energy-efficient standards. Where feasible, tax incentives shall be offered to retrofit existing structures.

Registration, taxes and fees for motor vehicles shall be graduated commensurate with vehicle fuel efficiency. Consideration shall be given to the hidden public-borne costs of operating inefficient vehicles. SUVs and light trucks shall meet the same fuel efficiency standards as passenger vehicles.

The State of California shall offer incentives to private industry for the development of ultra-fuel-efficient vehicles.

The State of California shall encourage development of non-polluting transportation alternatives.

California shall prioritize funding for efficient, well-maintained public transportation.

SOURCES OF ENERGY:

Continued high consumption of fossil fuels exacerbates the grave problem of global warming. Furthermore, American’s reliance on imported oil compromises Americas foreign policy and risks interruption of supply. Fortunately, there are practical, realizable solutions to these problems that can ensure a continued high standard of living for Americans.

We must convert to domestically produced, clean, safe, non-polluting sources of energy. These must include wind, solar heating, photovoltaics, geothermal, biomass, passive and active solar, all proven technologies.

Research on the above, new and advanced energy sources and techniques should be pursued by public universities leading to ultimate self-sufficiency. Such research subject matter should also include co-generation, fuel cells, hydrogen, water desalination techniques, distributed systems and the ocean.

We realize that, for the immediate future, consumption of fossil fuels will continue, but every reasonable effort must be made to reduce their use. When fossil fuels are used, all effective technology must be used to minimize pollution and emission of greenhouse gases.

Because of the hazards of existing nuclear plants, we should phase them out. New nuclear plants should be considered only when the technology has been proven to be safe, clean and terrorist proof.

We must recreate energy systems that serve the people and the economy. We would prefer public energy systems, or if not, fully regulated systems.

The rules should prevent "gaming" and ensure full transparency in energy transactions. The pricing structure should ensure affordability for all our residents.

The energy supply and distribution must be dependable.

Under deregulation the people paid for the utilities’ assets as stranded costs. The rate payers should own these facilities by now. Public utility company assets paid for by the rate payers and shifted out-of-state should be returned to the ratepayers.

ACCESS TO POWER AND OTHER ENERGY RESOURCES:

The price of energy should make it accessible to poor people.

The state should re-regulate its mass-supplier energy systems.

The state should buy-out the electric grid.

The system of top-price ISO bid determining price overall should be eliminated.

Incentives to use renewable, efficient, clean and passive energy should be built into tax costs.

Public power takeover should be encouraged and facilitated. If private utilities want to sell their assets, the public should have the right of first notification, time to pass bonds and right of first refusal with due consideration for depreciation taken.

One goal of the state’s approach to regulation in to ensure continuity of energy supply and independence.

We encourage energy-related research by California’s university systems.