Image by MDV Edwards. OPINION – Despite the ubiquity of household solar in California now, some of the rustic romanticism of “do your own thing” by generating your own power remains. But one thing that should not remain is doing it at the expense of ratepayers getting power exclusively through utility service.
San Francisco skyline. Image from SF.govCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: We’re joined today by Mission Local Managing Editor and columnist Joe Eskenazi, who looks back over Mayor Daniel Lurie’s first year, and gets us up to speed on other San Francisco political news, including the race to replace Nancy Pelosi, the possibility of an initiative to reopen the Great Highway to auto traffic, and the effort to form a municipal power company that would take over PG&E’s electrical infrastructure via eminent domain – a movement that got a boost following last week’s massive power outage.
Photo by Sundry Photography. OPINION – While the antipathy toward PG&E has long been well justified, the utility’s latest blackout should not throw yet another log on the fire of vilification in a gubernatorial election year that further obscures the complexity of the state’s electricity challenges.
Image by peterschreiber.mediaA quarter century after the California energy crisis, some supporters of energy deregulation have taken to a new idea: turning over control of the state’s energy grid to a West Coast nonprofit.
Image by Daniele MezzadriOPINION – In an era of skyrocketing living costs and soaring energy bills, it’s more important than ever to seize opportunities that reduce unnecessary expenses for consumers and lay the groundwork for a more affordable future. Fortunately, California legislators have the chance to do just that—by reducing the costs of expanding vital infrastructure to meet our growing energy needs and climate goals.
Chance Comanche, screen capture from news report CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: In his reporting, Brian Joseph explores the nuances of Sex Trafficking, its cultural influences and possible reform options. He joined us today to talk about “The Life,” the intersection of Pimp culture and Pop Culture, Sen. Shannon Grove’s SB 14, one of last year’s most controversial bills, and more.
De-focused electricity transmission towers in countryside at sunset, panoramic landscape. AChanPhoto, ShutterstockCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Loretta Lynch, the former President of the California Public Utilities Commission is sounding the alarm on a proposed change to California’s commercial electricity providers’ rate structure that, she says, will dramatically increase rates for electricity customers. Now, Lynch and others are urging the CPUC to intervene before it’s too late.
Image by azrin_aziriOPINION – As Californians grapple with a seemingly insurmountable housing shortage, we cannot ignore the related urgent need to address the growing risk of devastating wildfires. The California Building Industry Association (CBIA) firmly believes that tackling wildfire risks head-on is a vital step towards finding solutions to our housing crisis.
ROADMAP 2035, Panel 3 – The Future vs. The Past: The Impact on California’s Legacy Industries. Panelists: Christopher Benjamin, Pacific Gas & Electric; Jon Costantino, Tradesman Advisors; Mark Nechodom, Western States Petroleum Association; Laura Renger, California Electric Transportation Coalition. Moderated by Brian Joseph of Capitol Weekly. Photo by Scott Duncan, Capitol WeeklyCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at Capitol Weekly’s conference examining California’s climate goals: ROADMAP 2035: Cars, Carbon and Climate Change – How Do We Meet California’s Zero Emissions Goals? which was held in Sacramento at the California Endowment Conference Center on Thursday, May 25, 2023. This is Panel 3 – The Future vs. The Past: The Impact on California’s Legacy Industries.
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.