The signers noted that Proposition 87 "will be an important first step … to help the nation wean itself from reliance on oil and other energy imports and to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change.

WASHINGTON DC - Today, 34 non-Californian businesses and energy policy organizations issued a statement of support on behalf of Proposition 87 - the Clean Energy Initiative on the November ballot in that state . The initiative would impose a small fee on the excess profits of the oil industry to help fund renewable energy and energy efficiency programs in the state. Thirteen individuals also added their name to the statement.

The signers noted that Proposition 87 "will be an important first step … to help the nation wean itself from reliance on oil and other energy imports and to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change. [Therefore, it] could serve as a model for the rest of the nation."

The full text of the statement and list of signers follows.

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR CALIFORNIA'S PROPOSITION 87

We, the undersigned organizations, businesses, and individuals, believe that the nation's dependence on oil is harmful in so many ways. It threatens economic stability, national security, public health and the environment.

Imposing a small fee on a portion of the record-high profits of the oil industry to fund investments in sustainable energy technologies is one of multiple strategies that should be pursued to help the nation wean itself from reliance on oil and other energy imports and to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change.

Consequently, if passed, Proposition 87 - the Clean Energy Initiative on the November ballot in California - will be an important first step in solving these problems and could serve as a model for the rest of the nation.

What Proposition 87 will mean to both California and the rest of the nation is:

** Less Foreign Oil: Proposition 87 invests in ethanol and biofuels and creates incentives for the production of cars, trucks and SUVs that run on these cleaner alternative fuels. And that means competition for the oil companies and less dependence on foreign oil.

** Less Pollution, Cleaner Air: By promoting cleaner alternative fuels and energy sources, Proposition 87 will reduce air pollution that causes asthma, lung disease, and cancer and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that lead to global warming.

** More Renewable Energy: Proposition 87 reduces the nation's dangerous dependence on foreign oil by expanding the use of domestic clean energy and helping to jump-start new sustainable energy industries.

Therefore, Proposition 87 offers a model for the funding of renewable energy and energy efficiency programs that should be supported and emulated by other states and the federal government.

Signed

ORGANIZATIONAL SIGNERS
(arranged by organization name)

Edna Sussman
Action for Tomorrow's Environment
Scarsdale, New York

Frank Baylin
Baylin Publications
Boulder, Colorado

Mike Bergey, President
Bergey Windpower Co.
Norman, OK

Mike Tidwell, Director
Chesapeake Climate Action Network
Takoma Park, Maryland

Don Hudson, President
The Chewonki Foundation
Wiscasset, Maine

Deb Kats
Citizens Awareness Network
Massachusetts

Carlos Rymer
Coalition for Global Warming Solutions
Union City, NJ

George Burmeister, President
Colorado Energy Group, Inc.
Boulder, CO

Carol Werner, Executive Director
Environmental & Energy Study Institute
Washington, DC

Joel N. Gordes
Environmental Energy Solutions
West Hartford, CT

Alden Hathaway, Director - EcoPower Programs Environmental Resources Trust Washington, DC

William Dunlay
Good Energy Engineering Inc.
Hollis, ME

Amy Todisco, Owner
Green Living Now, LLC
Huntington, VT

Rita Schenck
Institute for Environmental Research and Education Vashon, WA

Leslie H. Lowe, Program Director
Global Warming Working Group
Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility New York, NY

Daniel Ziskin, PhD; President
Jews Of The Earth
Denver, CO

Susan Peterson Gateley
Lakeshore Environmental Action
Wolcott NY

Gladys Schmitz, SSND Coordinator
Mankato Area Environmentalists
Mankato, MN

David Barclay, Executive Director
New England Sustainable Energy Association Greenfield, MA

George Crocker, Executive Director
North American Water Office
Lake Elmo MN

Wells Eddleman, Staff Scientist
NC Citizens Research Group
Durham NC

Bruce A Drew, Steering Committee
Prairie Island Coalition
Minneapolis MN

Michael H. Crosby, Corporate Responsibility Agent Province of St. Joseph of the Capuchin Order Milwaukee, WI

Phil von Hake
PvH Communications
Morrison, CO

Tom McCaney, Associate Director - Corporate Social Responsibility Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia Aston, PA

Ken Bossong, Executive Director
SUN DAY Campaign
Takoma Park, MD

Dave Bonta, President
Sustainable Valley Group
Springfield, VT

David Monk Oregon
Toxics Alliance
Eugene, Oregon

Judi Friedman
People's Action for Clean Energy
Canton, CT

Kathleen Burns, Ph.D.; Director
Sciencecorps
Lexington, MA

Scott Sklar, President
The Stella Group, Ltd.
Arlington, VA

Bob Walker
Sustainable Energy Resource Group
Thetford Center, VT

John Blair, President
Valley Watch, Inc.
Evansville, IN

Al Sobel, President
Virginia Solar Council
Alexandria, VA

INDIVIDUAL SIGNERS
(organized by last name)

Andrew Brengle
Ipswich, MA

Katy Chapdelaine
Belmont, MA

E. Anne Every
Paonia, CO

Ron Judkoff
Golden, CO

David Meldrum
Redford, MI

Elizabeth C. Moore
Lakewood, CO

Michael O'Connor
Seward, AK

Ellen Rubinstein
Madison, WI

Joellen Sbrissa, CSJ
Chicago, IL

Florian Smoczynski
Madison, WI

Jennie C. Stephens, Ph.D.
Shrewsbury, MA

Priscilla Storandt
Freeland, WA

Mark Wilson
Columbus, OH