The campaigns for and against Proposal 3 on the November ballot are arguing the economic merits of renewable fuels versus coal and gas.
Proposal 3 would require 25 percent of the state’s electricity be generated using wind, the sun, or bio-fuels by 2025.
Ken Sikkema conducted a study for the campaign against Proposal 3.
He compared the costs of renewable generation to the costs of using coal or natural gas.
He found renewable energy will be more expensive. Sikkema says businesses, in particular, need flexibility in planning for their energy needs.
"We don’t know what the cost of fuel’s going to be – for example, natural gas prices are on a downward spiral," says Sikkema. "That could be a factor in, if you need new generation, what do you use? Do you use wind? Do you use natural gas, or coal?"
The campaign for Proposal 3 says the ballot question would help stabilize energy costs, because the cost of wind and solar energy is not as volatile as fossil fuels.
The campaign also says the 25 percent target would help make renewable energy more affordable.
