2006 Election Results for Candidates and Ballot
Issues in the Interwest Energy Alliance Region
November 8, 2006
Arizona
Janet Napolitano (D) re-elected governor, 63%
to 35%, over challenger Len Munsil (R)
In her own words:
“Arizona could be the next Persian Gulf of solar
energy...We average well over 320 days of sunshine per
year, and that’s one of our greatest resources, and we
ought to use it.” [Comments at North American Energy
Summit, Albuquerque, N.M., 16 April 2004]
Arizona Corporation Commissioner Kris Mayes (R)
re-elected with 26% of vote (highest of five
candidates; top two voter-getters take office)
In her own words:
“This [Arizona’s new 15% renewable energy standard] is
a vote for more jobs in rural Arizona, a healthier
water supply, and a more secure electrical grid. Move
over California: with these rules we are making
Arizona the solar energy capital of the world once
again!” [Comments delivered while voting for Arizona’s
new Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff at the
Arizona Corporation Commission, 31 October 2006]
Arizona Corporation Commissioner candidate Gary
Pierce (R) elected with 25% of vote (second-highest
of five candidates; top two vote-getters take office)
In his own words:
“I don’t have a problem with 2025 [target date for
Arizona’s new Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff],
but 15 percent is an arbitrary number. We need a goal,
but should recognize it’s variable. Let’s see how the
new rules impact the utility industry, and if they
cause significant cost increases (for the consumer).
Let’s watch it year to year and do whatever is
reasonable and responsible.” [From 12 October 2006
interview with the Tucson Weekly
www.tucsonweekly.com/gbase/Currents/Content?oid=87786]
Colorado
Bill Ritter (D) elected governor, 57% to 40%,
over challenger Bob Beauprez (R)
In his own words:
“We believe that the ‘Colorado Promise’ is about
the new energy economy where this state, Colorado, is
a leader in renewable energy, in wind, solar and
biofuels.” [From acceptance speech, 7 November 2006]
Local Ballot Issues:
- Boulder voters back carbon tax, 58% to 42%
Funds will go toward new Climate Action Plan (CAP)
programs, such as helping businesses obtain Xcel
rebates for purchases of energy-efficient hardware,
performing energy audits to help people understand how
they can save energy, and assisting low-income
citizens by distributing energy efficiency kits. See
article in today's Colorado Daily at
www.coloradodaily.com/articles/2006/11/08/news/c_u_and_boulder/news12.txt
- Carbondale (Colo.) voters approve, 81% to 19%,
a measure allowing the town to issue up to $1.8
million in Clean Renewable Energy Bonds to build and
operate two large-scale solar systems.
Nevada
Jim Gibbons (R) elected governor, 50% to 46%,
over challenger Dina Titus (D)
In his own words:
“I believe we can turn Nevada into an energy
independent state. In Congress, I re-wrote the
Geothermal Steam Act, essentially making it
economically feasible to harvest one of our state’s
most abundant forms of energy. As governor, I would
continue to make geothermal power, as well as solar
and wind power, economically attractive. These clean
energy sources would give Nevadans independence from
other states and other countries that currently supply
us. They would also stabilize our utility bills while
those around us fluctuate with world events.” [From
statement by Jim Gibbons in 6 November 2006 Rebel Yell
www.unlvrebelyell.com/article.php?ID=9993]
New Mexico
Bill Richardson (D) re-elected governor, 68%
to 32% over challenger John Dendahl (R)
In his own words:
“[Wind energy] is a good example of how New Mexico
is becoming a national leader in clean energy. Since I
became Governor, we’ve started requiring utility
companies to produce ten percent of their energy
through renewable sources. We’ve eliminated the state
sales tax on hybrid cars and offered a solar tax
credit. Clean energy is the key to holding down gas
prices, ensuring our national security and creating
the jobs of the future.” [From Richardson campaign
commercial available at
http://billrichardson2006.com/multimedia/commercials/clean]
Utah
Utah did not have a gubernatorial election yesterday.
However, the two legislators who plan to carry a
state renewable energy tax credit in the 2007
legislature were both re-elected:
- Senator Howard Stephenson (R-Draper) defeated Adam
Ford, 65% to 35%
- Rep. Sheryl Allen (R-Bountiful) defeated Richard
Watson (D), 68% to 27%
Wyoming
Dave Freudenthal (D) re-elected governor, 70%
to 30%, over challenger Ray Hunkins (R)
In his campaign’s words:
“Gov Dave’s priorities for a second term are to
continue to promote the culture of bipartisan and
statewide cooperation --- and to make permanent the
smart investments made toward a stable future for
Wyoming: Development on Wyoming’s Terms...
- Protect Wyoming’s natural treasures
- Get full value for our minerals by encouraging
development of powerlines, powerplants, pipelines,
clean coal technologies and alternative energy
within Wyoming
- Additional funding for wildlife habitat and
migration corridor protection
- Diversify Wyoming’s economy”
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