Initiative 937: More expensive electricity

[msmercenary]

The stated goal of Initiative 937 is to decrease reliance on "dirty" power sources, and focus our energy utilities on clean renewable sources.  What I-937 does is require most state power utilities to get 15% of their power from sources the initiative identifies as "renewable", including wind and solar.  The aim is noble, but the initiative is an

Comments

[naruvonwilkins]

What does the free market charge for emissions?

[darthparadox]

Precisely. There is at present no economic downside outside of fines and regulations that prevents a company from spewing pollution into the air. This leads to a "tragedy of the commons"-type situation where the resource in question - in this case, clean air - is degraded

[naruvonwilkins]

So, I voted for it, because I think that it *helps* move us toward the balance we'll need if we can put emissions on a market system. As it stands, there's very little choice of technology available to a consumer because there's no practical difference in end product.

If the point of view is to level the playing field, omitting hydroelectric makes perfect sense, because a market for the technology already exists. Nuclear would probably keep it from passing, although I agree that both technologies are good solutions.

[kazriko]

Colorado passed a similar measure recently (1-2 years ago.) X% amount of power must come from renewable sources. It sucks.