Prop 87, most expensive campaign in state history, fails under heavy opposition from Big Oil

// news / daily - novermber 8, 2006

http://daily.stanford.edu/article/2006/11/8/webonlyContentProp87...
By James Hohmann

The costliest ballot initiative campaign in state history culminated yesterday in the defeat of Proposition 87, which would have imposed a tax on oil production in California to raise $4 billion to promote alternative fuels and energy-efficient vehicles.

The support of former President Clinton as well as celebrity endorsements from Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts and Geena Davis were seemingly counterbalanced by oil industry advertisements that threatened higher gas prices should the initiative pass. It drew a 55 percent no vote with three-quarters of the state's precincts reporting.

"We think voters sent a strong message tonight that while there is clearly a need to pursue alternative energy, Proposition 87 wasn't the way to get there," said Al Lundeen, the Communications Director of No on 87. "I don't think it means California rejected alternative energy. I think it means they rejected the $4 billion tax that was Prop 87."

The Stanford Climate Crew, a part of Students for Sustainable Stanford, had campaigned hard for the passage of the measure, which group leaders said would help jumpstart alternative energy research.

"I think there was a definite mis-education campaign by the oil companies, and it was successful," said senior Hammad Ahmed, a group member and International Relations major. "What's going to be happen is that we're going to move to renewable technology much more slowly than if the money had been coming from government funding. Climate change is a problem, and we need to address it now."

-- The Associated Press contributed to this report