Steve Bing digs alternative energy sources.

Or so it seems, as the folks working to pass Proposition 87 have announced that the reclusive and wealthy Hollywood producer handed over another $13.5 million to the campaign today.

Bing's contributions in support of Prop 87 so far: about $40 million. The campaign's total fundraising so far: about $45.5 million.

For the time being, Bing's bucks appear to have given the Yes on 87 folks the fundraising lead over the initiative's opponents, who have raised about $41 million so far. Much of the No on 87 money has come from oil companies opposed to the drilling tax that Prop 87 would impose to fund the alternative energy research.

Meantime, a more newsy piece of info about Prop 87: the initiative was endorsed this morning in New York City by former President Bill Clinton, who called the proposal "a big deal" in terms of future global energy challenges.