Business Network Event: Making Electricity Affordable Through Smart Policy and Programs

This event is by invitation only.

The Climate Center invites you to a discussion about making energy more affordable by prioritizing local, clean energy resources and reducing barriers to electrifying homes. Utility rates in California have been rising much faster than inflation for years. Data center energy demand is also now driving up costs. Assemblymember John Harabedian will focus on key strategies for cutting electricity costs using existing assets like rooftop solar, smart thermostats, and electric vehicle batteries to provide power to the grid. Rafael Reyes of Peninsula Clean Energy will highlight Community Choice Energy programs that make it easier for customers to electrify their homes.

Given the Trump administration’s anti-clean energy agenda, California, now the fourth-largest economy in the world, must create clean energy policies that keep us globally competitive and serve as a model for the country. 

We will end the program with a few minutes of peer-to-peer sharing with our Business Network members.

Registration is required using the form below.

Speakers

Assemblymember John Harabedian

Harabedian is proud to serve as the representative for California’s 41st Assembly District and is dedicated to working with his constituents to build stronger, more vibrant communities. The district includes the cities of Bradbury, Claremont, La Cañada Flintridge, La Verne, Monrovia, Pasadena, San Dimas, Sierra Madre, and portions of Hesperia, Rancho Cucamonga, and Upland.

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Rafael Reyes

Senior Director of Energy Programs at Peninsula Clean Energy

Rafael provides strategic direction on major community decarbonization initiatives across San Mateo County through his role as Director of Programs at Peninsula Clean Energy. Under Rafael’s leadership, PCE has programmed nearly $30 million over four years for decarbonization, primarily in transportation electrification. Rafael has led and supported nearly $80 million in clean energy projects through his prior roles as VP of Community Initiatives at Prospect Silicon Valley and founding Executive Director of the Bay Area Climate Collaborative.

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Barry Vesser

Chief Program Officer

Barry joined The Climate Center in 2005 and has held positions as Deputy Director and Financial Officer. He currently leads The Climate Center’s program and policy development and implementation teams. In 2018 Barry began working with a group of energy experts and advocates envisioning a more decentralized energy system that was clean, affordable, resilient, and equitable. He then championed the development of The Climate Center’s Community Energy Resilience project, which has culminated in the creation of a new $170 million Community Energy Resilience investment program by the California Energy Commission in August of 2022.

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