Proposition C: power for change

By: Charlie Upchurch

Posted: 11/17/08

Proposition C passed Nov. 4 in Missouri with nearly two-thirds of voting citizens in favor of the initiative.

Proposition C will require investor-owned, electric utilities to generate or purchase from renewable energy sources that will equal at least two percent of retail sales by 2011, and 15 percent by 2021, including at least two percent from solar energy, according to the ballot.

"It says a lot about the direction we are headed as a population," said Katy Kiefer, Kansas City coordinator for the Missouri Clean Energy Initiative. "The development of renewable energy is understood as important and necessary for a healthy, sustainable society."

Opponents of the measure fear Prop C will increase cost to consumers substantially.

"The truth is that renewables have the potential to provide cheaper energy in the future," Kiefer said. "Given the expectation of high fossil fuel costs in years to come and legislation regulating greenhouse gas emissions, Missourians are expected to save a substantial amount of money."

One of the stipulations of the proposition is a one percent cap on the cost to consumers. The cap is a reassurance prices will not skyrocket.

The cost per month is expected to increase by $0.50 per month in the first few years, but should end up saving consumers about $1.60 per month in later years.

Prop C is projected to create a net savings of $331 million for Missourians over the 20-year period, according to Kiefer.

Other parts of the legislation will allow additional benefits for consumers like a rebate program that makes it cheaper for Missourians to install solar panels on their homes.

"The solar panel rebate will make renewable energy and its benefits accessible for all people, not just the energy companies," said Tyler Antrup, junior, Urban Planning and Design, and Kansas City volunteer for the Missouri Clean Energy.

In addition to solar power, Missourians can expect to see other forms of clean energy popping up.

A combination of wind, solar, biomass, landfill gas and small hydro projects are expected to contribute to Prop C's goals for clean energy, said Kiefer.

"There are also already plans for wind development where the potential is greatest," Kiefer said, "especially in the northwestern and southwestern areas of the state."

This legislation could also help with more than our energy problems.

"The environment is one obvious reason to support renewable energy, but our struggling economy is another," she said. "Thousands of new jobs will be created in Missouri as a result of Prop C and millions more across the country as we move towards a cleaner energy future. I think a lot of people supported the initiative for that reason."

In addition to Prop C's benefits to consumers, volunteer work for this initiative shows a positive trend in the attitudes of citizens in general, Antrup said.

"Volunteers made a big difference in educating the population and letting them know how Prop C would work," he said. "I think the general population responded to that and, as a whole, we're more concerned with being more responsible about energy."

With this public support, Kiefer believes a completely renewable future is possible.

"The main obstacle to completely greening our society are the special interests, particularly the coal industry, which is so influential in our political system," she said.

"But with citizens' support, I am confident that we will continue to win victories for renewable energy because it is what is good for our society. The work is far from over, but unquestionably achievable."

cupchurch@unews.com