Bren School, Others Back Sperling Green Energy Initiative
Some Claim Measure Could Undermine Existing Environmental Protections
A controversial statewide green energy initiative has been endorsed by the dean of the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, the Community Environmental Council, and Santa Barbara city councilmember Das Williams. The measure-promoted by John and Peter Sperling-would require that California generate half its energy from alternative sources by the year 2025. (Peter Sperling is a Santa Barbara resident who started CallWave; his father became a billionaire by starting the University of Phoenix.) Some enviros-especially some in the solar industry-have opposed the proposed initiative, saying it would gut existing environmental protections to accommodate alternative energy sources; supporters claim it would reduce California’s carbon footprint while creating new jobs and an entire new energy infrastructure.
