A constitutional right to natural gas, a permitting revamp, and more are on the ballot in states and cities this Election Day.
Voters in some states and cities will have a direct say on energy policy. (Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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The midterm elections are upon us. While most of the country has its eyes on who will control Congress, there’s plenty at stake for clean energy at the bottom of some voters’ ballots, too. Here are five ballot measures to keep an eye on come Tuesday night.
Proposition 45 looks to revise the California Environmental Quality Act, which for more than 50 years has governed how housing, energy, and other developers account for their environmental impacts. Specifically, this ballot measure would set a 365-business-day time limit on most state environmental reviews, excluding fossil fuel construction. Supporters say that will allow for speedier development of clean energy and other important infrastructure. But some groups have lined up against the measure, contending that it would curb tribes’ input on projects and put California’s lands, waters, and air at risk.
Canary Media’s Alison F. Takemura has the lowdown on Eugene, Oregon’s attempt to tax major corporations to fund clean energy projects — a measure that’s similar to one already in place in Portland. Eugene residents will vote on whether to approve a fee on Amazon, Walmart, and other companies that make $ 1 billion or more in gross profits nationally and at least $ 500 , 000 in gross profits within Eugene.
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