We’ve seen the ads on TV, “Vote Yes For Prop 16.” It’s an initiative to force California’s governments to put (yet another) referendum on the ballot to force California’s governments to put to to a referendum vote the decision to get into the energy business and buy and sell energy, like electricity and natural gas. The ads look so sincere too! They suggest it might be a good idea for local governments to get into the energy business! But, local voters should have a right to decide, because, after all, it’s our money! Gosh, that’s so true!
Well, on FaceBook this morning I noticed some of my friends clicked on "Like" for the Support Prop 16 FaceBook page. It sounds like such a good idea!
Who is behind this ballot initiative? Pacific Gas and Electric! Basically, they don't want the competition so they and their counterparts like San Diego Gas and Electric can continue to gouge us and hold us hostage, as they did in 2002-03 with blackouts, unless “we” agree to their outrageous prices. Does everyone remember how the energy companies subjected us to rolling blackouts and then increased their rates by over 100%? They arbitrarily shut down power plants and sold California energy to other states.
What PG&E wants to do is stop non-profit energy companies from forming, and those that already exist, from expanding. The reason: non-profit energy providers are about 20% cheaper than the for profit energy companies. The reason the energy companies could hold us hostage with rolling blackouts 7-8 years ago is because they have monopolies throughout much of California and they, the energy companies, hope to keep it that way.
If you recall, the energy companies were (and are) having record profits and having competition will eat into their exclusive cash cow. By making it a requirement for local governments to get a 2/3 vote on whether or not to fund or create non-profit energy companies will make it nearly impossible for non-profits to exist.
Think long and hard before clicking "Like" when you go to their page and most definitely before voting "Yes" next Tuesday. This is a ballot initiative I will happily vote “No.” Don’t let the energy companies hold us hostage again!
TheForkesReport