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.
Roof top solar panels on rooftops in a Southern California neighborhood. (Photo: Simone Hogan, via Shutterstock)Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger championed an effort to install a million solar energy systems throughout the state. Fifteen years later, lured by incentives, there are more than 1.3 million solar rooftops that produce enough electricity for millions of homes across California. But a sharp debate is brewing among energy experts, the utilities, consumers and labor interests about fairness of the original program, called “net metering.”
A PG&E vehicle at the intersection of Oliver and Skyway in Paradise during the 2018 Camp Fire.(Photo: Dylan Mittag, via Shutterstock)Rather than fixing its system during its five-year felony probation, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. instead spent the time, which ends today, “on a crime spree” of negligence, causing 31 wildfires, 113 deaths, thousands of lost structures and a half-million charred acres, according to the federal judge who oversaw the probation.
A view of Los Angeles and its smog. (Photo: IM_Photo, via Shutterstock)OPINION: It is important that state leaders stay firm on their resolve that PG&E is restructured in a way that both hardens our electrical grid and keeps our commitments to California’s climate and clean energy goals. Right now is no time to walk back on our climate change commitments.
Preparing a wish list and goals for the coming year. (Photo: AniKona Ann, via Shutterstock)Due to the journalistic enterprise constantly demonstrated by our army of reporters, we’ve obtained a copy of the list and is deploying it below. Along with a few predictions, here is what Sacramento and Washington notables want more than anything in 2020.