Comments on: San Francisco to Vote on Clean Energy City Charter on November Ballot: Why is “Green” Mayor Gavin Newsom Opposed?

By: Thomas Schueneman

Thomas Schueneman — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:19:33 +0000

Dave: Yeah, I’m pretty hard on the mayor, I admit that. I’ve had the opportunity to see him behaving badly… Anyway, I see no reason why there can’t at least be a feasibility study, which is required before any action takes place. I just don’t see the sense in all this talk about “taking over PG&E”. Thanks for the comment!
Anonymous: Well, I never said that PG&E isn’t accountable.
It’s a legitimate question to ask how this plan will be paid for, but to go from that instantly to the characterization that “I” am going to soak the rich or “drive the little guy further into the ground” is pretty weak, don’t you think? Is there any middle ground at all?
Nor am I “advocating” pain – but if you think the “little guy” isn’t already experiencing pain (has this been an easy 8 years for you?) or that there won’t be some pain as we make the changes in the coming years in how we do business, you’re only fooling yourself. If you want it to be “easy” then you liking offer no solution at all. So grab your wallet and run! (or come up with another clich√©…)

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 05:32:46 +0000

You know, PG&E is a /publicly regulated/ monopoly. It isn’t unaccountable.
Not one word about how much this is going to cost. Green is not free. It’s not cheap. In fact, it’s expensive. What’s your plan to pay for it? Soak the rich? Or drive the little guy further into the ground?
“Being Progressive Sometimes Hurts.” When you hear somebody advocating pain, grab your wallet and run.

By: Dave Shires

Dave Shires — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:18:09 +0000

Tough words.. well written, but I hesitate to condemn the Mayor outright, he’s got to walk a fine line between interests and power structures. Also, though everyone loves to hate PG&E around here (SF), they’re arguably doing more than any other major utility in the country when it comes to renewables and other innovations, I mean they really are.
Still, I don’t like a semi-functional monopoly holding suit either!