Voters Approve Missouri Clean Energy Initiative!
Missourians who want a portion of their electricity to come from clean, renewable energy sources have a reason to celebrate. On Election Day 2008, voters overwhelming approved passage of Proposition C, the Missouri Clean Energy Initiative, by a 66% to 34% margin.
"This election result clearly shows that Missourians understand the importance of clean, renewable energy sources to Missouri's economy and environment," said Liz Forrestal, Missouri Votes Conservation Executive Director. "This is the beginning of a cure for our longstanding addiction to coal and other fossil fuels, and it will have the added benefit of helping create jobs for our state. Missouri has a reason to rejoice," she added.
Prop C requires investor-owned utilities to generate or purchase 15% of their electricity from clean energy sources, such as wind and solar power, by 2021. It also includes a rebate that will lower the cost of installing solar on a home by nearly 25%. A
cost analysis of the Clean Energy Initiative shows that it will result in a net savings to Missouri electricity consumers over time, as wind, solar, and renewable resources begin to replace coal and natural gas.
Twenty-six other states have already enacted similar renewable energy standards to increase production of clean energy and promote energy independence. These standards are widely regarded as the most effective policy to spur the development of renewable energy in the United States. Missouri is now among these forward-thinking states. Currently, our state gets 82% of its electricity from coal, all of which is imported at an annual price tag of an estimated $9 billion per year. The Clean Energy Initiative is expected to stimulate in-state generation of renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, biomass and small hydroelectric, resulting in more than 10,000 new jobs.
The Missouri Clean Energy Initiative was endorsed by a diverse coalition of labor, environmental, civic and public health organizations including the United Steelworkers, Republicans for Environmental Protection, the National Wildlife Federation and Kansas City Power & Light. In spring 2008, a volunteer-led effort collected signatures from more than 163,000 registered voters across Missouri, enabling the measure to be included on the statewide ballot in the November general elections.
Missouri Votes Conservation partnered with other organizations to pass this renewable energy standard for the state.