2026 California Legislation That Saves Money Using Local, Clean Energy

Pooja Agarwal joined The Climate Center in July 2025 as the Community Energy Resilience Policy Manager. In this role, she manages research projects, collaborates with stakeholders, drafts policy communications, and tracks relevant legislation and regulation.

Bernadette Del Chiaro heads up the California operations of the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a national nonprofit public health and environmental organization. Prior she served as the executive director of the California Solar & Storage Association from 2013 to 2025. There, she built the California Solar & Storage Association into one of the largest and most active clean energy business groups in the United States. Bernadette has authored several reports and has been quoted widely in the media, including MSNBC, NPR, BBC, New York Times, and Los Angeles Times.

Derek Chernow is the Executive Director of Californians for Local Affordable Solar & Storage. Previously, he was Western Regional Director for the Coalition for Community Solar Access. Chernow previously served as Executive Director of the California Alternative Energy & Advanced Transportation Financing Authority, where he led all operations for the California agency charged with financing clean energy projects to spur economic development. Prior, he spent many years working in the California State Legislature, including as Chief of Staff to the Chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Resources, Environmental Protection, Energy & Transportation. He also held leadership positions advocating for clean energy and environmental protection including Acting Director at the California Department of Conservation

Brandon García is the California Director at Advanced Energy United, where he focuses on advancing policies that strengthen the state’s advanced energy industry. Prior to joining United, Brandon spent five years in the California Legislature, most recently as the Legislative Director for Senator Eloise Gomez Reyes in both the Senate and Assembly, and four years in the private sector with lobbying firms focused on zero-emission infrastructure, transportation, energy, and recycling policy.