Special Episodes of the Capitol Weekly Podcast: An Energy Forum

These special episodes of the Capitol Weekly Podcast were recorded live on November 17, 2021 at a panel discussion hosted by Capitol Weekly as part of our California Conference series An Energy Forum.

Panel 1, Renewable Energy: Can solar, wind and hydroelectrics meet the demand for electricity as the state transitions away from fossil fuels? And, what does the current battle between rooftop solar proponents and large-scale solar farm operators portend?

Panelists: Dan Jacobson, Environment California; Rajinder Sahota, California Air Resources Board; V. John White, CEERT; Julia Zuckerman, Clearway Energy

Moderated by Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times

Panel 2: The Future of the Grid: PG&E has emerged from bankruptcy, but California’s electrical infrastructure is aging, and the state’s demand for electricity continues to climb. How will the state’s energy providers meet the growing demand, and what will the grid look like decades from now?

Panelists: Asm. Chris Holden; Stacey Crowley, ISO; Carla Peterman, PG&E; Amisha Rai, Advanced Energy Economy

Moderated by Sophia Bollag of the Sacramento Bee

California Secretary for Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot delivered the Keynote. He was introduced by John Howard, Editor of Capitol Weekly.

Panel 3: The End of Oil? With the impacts of Climate Change looming, Gov. Newsom and the Legislature have set a goal to be carbon neutral by mid-century. Can we meet that goal, and if so, how? And, what becomes of the state’s fossil fuel industry in a carbon neutral California? How will this affect those communities that may struggle to meet the costs of making the transition?

Panelists: Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute at Haas; Danny Cullenward, CarbonPlan; Catherine Reheis-Boyd, Western States Petroleum Association; Alvaro Sanchez, Greenlining Institute

Moderated by Julie Cart of Calmatters

An Energy Forum was presented as part of Capitol Weekly’s California Conference series.

This event received support from The Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations, The Western States Petroleum Association, KP Public Affairs, Perry Communications, Capitol Advocacy, The California Building Industry Association, Lucas Public Affairs, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Pandora and California Professional Firefighters