Sierra Club Challenges Newsom to Debate Prop H,
Commonwealth Club Agrees to Host

From the Proposition H, San Francisco Clean Energy Act, campaign

October 6, 2008

Editor’s Note: Spokesperson Nathan Ballard told FCJ this evening that Mayor Newsom is “considering” the Sierra Club’s invitation to debate Proposition H.

SAN FRANCISCO — The Sierra Club today challenged Mayor Gavin Newsom to debate Proposition H, the Clean Energy Act that is on the November Ballot. Should the Mayor accept, the Commonwealth Club has agreed to host the discussion, and has set aside October 23rd for the event.

The Sierra Club spoke to the Mayor’s Office this morning, but has not yet received a reply.

The Sierra Club is a coauthor and supporter of Proposition H; Mayor Newsom opposes it. Proposition H is supported by elected leaders who are often Newsom’s allies, including Assemblyman Mark Leno and Assemblywoman Fiona Ma.

Should Mayor Newsom accept, the Commonwealth Club would host the event at its facilities at 595 Market Street, second floor, in downtown San Francisco, from noon to 1 pm.

Proposition H would mandate that the San Francisco electricity needs be transitioned to 100 percent renewable energy by the year 2040. It would authorize the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission to commission a study to determine how best to achieve the renewable energy goals. It enables a funding mechanism similar to the one used to fund the PUC’s $4.6 billion Water System Improvement Program. As with the water system revenue bonds, all funding for Prop H projects would require approval by the City Controller, the PUC Commission, and the Board of Supervisors. Prop H also encourages green jobs training, and increases public oversight, creating an Office of the Ratepayer Advocate.

In addition to Assemblymembers Leno and Ma, Prop H’s supporters include former Mayor Art Agnos, Senator Carole Migden, former PUC General Manager Susan Leal, Supervisors Ross Mirkarimi, Aaron Peskin, and Supervisor Dufty, Tom Ammiano, Gerardo Sandoval, Chris Daly, Sophie Maxwell, and Jake McGoldrick, the League of Conservation Voters, Greenpeace, SEIU, the San Francisco Democratic Party, and local Democratic Clubs across the city.

The Sierra Club is America’s oldest and largest environmental group. (http://www.sierraclub.org)
The San Francisco Bay Chapter represents 40,000 members in San Francisco, Marin, Alameda, and Contra Costa Counties. (http://sanfranciscobay.sierraclub.org/chapter/chapter_home.asp)

FCJ Editor

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