The OC Beach Scene

Hey guys! I hope that everyone is able to make it out to vote on this historic election day! As all of you California voters know, we not only have a heated presidential race going on; we also have several very controversial propositions on today’s ballot that will have a profound effect on our state’s direction in coming years. For those environmentally-conscious voters among the electorate, today marks an imporant opportunity to make the right first step towards renewable energy, the acceptance and use of alternative fuels, and ultimately, a greener, more eco-friendy California. Here is my take on some of the initiatives on today’s ballot that could have a substantial environmental impact:

Prop 1A: High Speed Rail Bonds
This initiative would provide $9 billion for the construction of a high-speed railway system in California, the first of its kind in the United States. Not only would electric-powered high-speed trains remove an estimated 12 billion pounds of CO2 and greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, they would also substanitially reduce traffic congestion and eliminate the need for the construction of new roads such as the Trestles Toll Road.

Prop 7: Renewable Energy Generation
While I think that most would agree that renewable energy is a good thing and an important step toward reducing our dependence on foreign oil, Prop 7 is so poorly written that it would actually act as a hinderance to our efforts to become energy-independent. Unfairly biased against small wind and solar energy companies and unnecessarily allowing for increases in energy prices, Prop 7 is opposed by many leading environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club and the Environmental Defense Fund.

Prop 10: Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy
This proposition would provide $5 billion in bonds to fund research and production of renewable energy technology and stimulate consumer interest in high fuel economy and alternative fuel cars. Approximately $3 billion of this money would be used to provide rebates for consumers who purchase alternative fuel vehicles. Like Prop 1A, this initiative would not only reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but would also help to reduce greenhouse gases through the its support of renewable energy research and the alternative fuel vehicle market.

Prop 6: Police and Law Enforcement Funding; Criminal Penalties and Laws
While this initiative has nothing to do with the environment, I still feel the need to say a few words about this misguided, potentially dangerous attempt to curb gang violence. Not only does Prop 6 ignore the myriad problems facing inner-city youth, it also fails to uphold our constitutional right against cruel and unusual punishment. If we truly want to decrease gang activity in local communites, we should be investing in youth outreach programs and public school facilities, not sentencing nonviolent offenders to life in prison and trying 14 year olds as adults.

Anyways, thanks for reading! I hope to see you guys at the polls! Orange County voters, visit www.ocvote.com for information on where to vote and expected wait times.