Californians reject renewable power measure
With about 31 percent of the state's precincts reporting, Proposition 7 "no" votes had 65 percent of the vote.
The measure called for an increase in renewable power by about 2 percent of electricity generation a year until it reached 40 percent by 2020 and 50 percent by 2025.
Opponents called the measure well-meaning but ill-conceived and that it would constrict rather than expand renewable power generation in California.
Currently, about 13 percent of California's power is generated by renewable sources including solar and wind.
California has a goal of 20 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2010, which the state's utilities are not expected to meet.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger supports a 33 percent renewables goal by 2020.
Environmentalists teamed with major utilities including Pacific Gas & Electric Co and Southern California Edison in a campaign to defeat the measure.
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UK families living close to nuclear power stations could get free electricity
LONDON - UK Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg has endorsed a French-style system that sees people living near nuclear power stations receive free electricity.
Speaking at an event organised by Policy Exchange think tank, Jacob Rees-Mogg said: “Nuclear power is just fundamental. There’s no way we can get to net zero, or even have an intelligent electricity strategy, without nuclear.”
Highlighting that this was his view and not a government policy announcement, he said: “We should copy the French. As I understand, if you live near a nuclear power station in France, you get free electricity and that’s great because then, I’ll have…
