A statewide ballot measure that would have required all electric utilities to derive 50% of their electricity from renewable resources by 2025 was soundly defeated by California voters last week. About 65% of voters opposed Proposition 7, while 35% voted in favor. Environmental groups aligned with the state's three investor-owned utilities to oppose the ballot measure, contending that it would derail renewable development. Opponents of the measure argued that it was riddled with problems that would be hard to fix because any changes would require a two-thirds vote by the Legislature. Supporters argued the measure would raise the bat for renewable resources, allowing" California to serve as a model for the rest of the nation. The state's renewable portfolio standard requires load-serving entities - with the exception of municipal utilities - to get 20% of their electricity from renewables by 2010. Munis are expected to set their own renewable targets. "Every group opposed to Prop. 7 strongly supports bringing more alternative energy online in California. But Prop. 7 was poorly drafted, filled with mistakes and would have set alternative energy backward, "which is why the renewable industry opposed it, said Jan Smutny-Jones, executive director of the Independent Energy Producers Association.
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