Former Assemblyman Tony Strickland, who raised some eyebrows in the spring when he designated himself on the June primary ballot as "alternative energy executive," has refined the title for the fall 19th Senate District campaign.

In the certified list of candidates for the November election, released today by Secretary of State Debra Bowen, Strickland is listed as "renewable energy businessman."

Both designations spring from Strickland's role as an investor in a fledgling wave energy company that has yet to undertake a project or bring in any revenue. The company, GreenWave Energy Solutions, has filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

With all the negative press about excessive executive pay among Fortune 500 companies, it's not too hard to see why a candidate might switch from "executive" to "businessman." But why might voters reflect more favorably on the adjective "renewable" than on "alternative"?