Image by metamorworksOPINION – Climate policy progress will surely face new challenges with the second Trump administration seemingly intent on undercutting both state and federal programs. But that should not diminish California’s resolve to push the envelope on cost-effective technological innovations for which the state is so well known.
Flag of California and Statue of Liberty on sky background. Image by Arseniy45.OPINION – In this moment of both challenge and opportunity, California has the chance to lead by example. Let’s seize it—for the health of our communities, our neighborhoods’ resilience, and our planet’s future.
Image by cyano66OPINION – It’s time for our leaders to strive to keep trusted allies in the energy industry operating and innovating in the Golden State—not drive them away.
Image by A stockphotoOPINION – Distributed energy resources (DERs) like electric vehicles (EVs), home batteries, heat pumps, and rooftop solar panels, can power the grid more efficiently than gas peaker plants, making everyday Californians the power providers instead of dirty energy.
Power Supplies on blade server in rack. Shot in data center. Image by kjekolOPINION – California’s 260-plus data centers must change to reduce the rising competitive demand for water and electricity and the increasing growth in CO2 emissions that artificial intelligence will accelerate in data centers.
Sen. Mike McGuire, photo by APNew Senate pro Tem Mike McGuire announced his Senate Democratic Leadership Team and committee membership assignments for the 2024 Legislative year. The Senate Rules Committee will ratify the committee memberships next Wednesday, February 14, 2024.
Power transmission wires on a Fontana tower carry electricity on a sweltering summer day. (Photo: Matt Gush, via Shutterstock)OPINION: Recently, California called for a “Flex Alert” for the first time this year. Amongst other things, these Flex Alerts are plea from the state’s grid manager to conserve energy because it anticipates that the electric grid will be unusually strained. Californians, as they typically do, showed up – mostly out of the goodness of their hearts and wanting to do the right thing.
An illustration of the unknown road ahead. (Image: Pro-Studio, via Shutterstock)California faces many challenges now. One is the climate emergency. Another is economic recovery. Add COVID-19 positivity. That is a partial list. You get the picture. Why imagine scenarios for the Golden State over the next decade or century? We turn to Marina Gorbis.
Gov. Gavin Newsom at a San Francisco event. (Photo: Jana Asenbrennerova, via Shutterstock)Gov. Gavin Newsom is proposing a multi-billion-dollar package of monetary goodies for Californians, but how much of it will become reality is now up to legislators. The clock ticks: Lawmakers have less than a month to approve the 2022-23 budget, an unprecedented, nearly $300 billion document, and send it to Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Solar panels clustered in an urban environment to provide energy to surrounding buildings, homes. (Photo: Gengwit Wattakawigran. via Shutterstock)OPINION: All Californians have the right to access affordable clean energy. However, the majority of Californians are unable to take advantage of solar energy generated at their home because they are renters or homeowners without a suitable roof. These significant barriers are not adequately addressed through California’s existing clean energy programs.