We’re
disappointed that big oil companies spent $100 million to defeat Prop
87, an initiative that would have raised $4 billion for clean energy
alternatives to reduce our oil dependence. With decreasing oil
supplies, persistently high gas prices, our dependence on foreign oil,
and global warming, the defeat of Prop 87 is a loss for our environment
and our economy.
Unfortunately,
the oil companies’ $100 million advertising campaign to defeat Prop 87
is a somber reminder of just how much money the oil industry will spend
to protect their profits and keep us dependent on oil.
Even
as major oil companies like Chevron and BP spend millions on
advertising to feign concern with the decline of oil supplies and the
need for energy alternatives, when they had an opportunity to support
good policy, they choose instead to vigorously oppose it. Voters,
consumers, and investors have 100 million good reasons to question the
sincerity of the big oil companies’ commitments to clean energy
alternatives.
Prop
87 was defeated by the oil industry’s $100 million ad campaign, not a
lack of public support for clean energy alternatives to oil. CALPIRG
will continue to advocate for smart energy policies, including energy
and fuel alternatives, more public transportation, and increased energy
efficiency, when California’s newly elected leaders take office in
2007.
