Clean Energy

| Blog Post

Victory! The Clean Local Power Act is law and California is closer than ever to affordable, climate-safe electricity

Local and Affordable Clean Energy Press Conference

Californians just won a major step toward cheaper, cleaner, more reliable electricity. This week, Governor Newsom signed the Clean Local Power Act, SB 913 (Becker), into law. The Climate Center is proud to have co-sponsored this bill. This is what climate action at speed and scale looks like. It didn’t happen by accident. It took … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Community Energy Resilience
| Press Release

Governor Newsom delivers on clean, affordable electricity by signing SB 913

SACRAMENTO, September 30, 2026 — Today, Governor Newsom signed SB 913, the Clean Local Power Act, into law. Authored by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park), this bill ensures that the millions of California homes and businesses that already have smart technologies can help make electricity more affordable for everyone. The Climate Center CEO Kat Lockwood … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Community Energy Resilience

Unlocking the Potential of NextGen Geothermal Energy in California

Geothermal energy plant. Photo by Canva.

California stands at a clean energy crossroads. To achieve 100 percent clean electricity by 2045 — as required by law — the state will of course need more wind, solar, and battery storage, but that’s not all. Next-generation geothermal energy is a compelling, 24/7/365, clean energy source that can support the electrical grid around the … Read more

Understanding Cap and Invest Reforms and California’s Climate and Affordability Investments

In May, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved changes to the Cap and Invest program that could mean $2 billion per year in lost funding for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), impacting affordable housing, public transit, clean air, clean water, and other statewide climate investments. This briefing covered those changes, what they mean … Read more

| Blog Post

Veronica Palmer joins The Climate Center as Individual Giving Manager

Veronica Palmer

Growing up in southern Ohio, some of my earliest memories of the outdoors are family hiking trips through Kentucky’s Red River Gorge. Those experiences sparked a lifelong appreciation for nature and outdoor recreation that eventually grew into a passion for long-distance hiking. After graduating from college, I set out to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, an … Read more

Categories Clean Energy

2026 California Legislation That Saves Money Using Local, Clean Energy

Zoom

Electricity prices are skyrocketing in California and families are struggling to pay their bills. In response, the California legislature is taking steps to make electricity more affordable using clean energy. This webinar highlighted current legislation, including bills that promote plug-in and community solar. These technologies make it easier to utilize locally generated clean energy to … Read more

| Post

The world is moving on to cleaner energy

The war in Iran continues to drive fuel prices higher and higher. If the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to shipping traffic, which most experts expect it will, it’s likely that gas prices will hit a record high in the United States.  Fossil fuel corporations are loving it, taking advantage of the conflict to record … Read more

Categories Clean Energy
| Blog Post

What to look for in Governor Newsom’s May Revise state budget

Governor Newsom at UN Climate Week in 2023, where he committed to sign SB 253 and 261. Photo: Office of the California Governor.

On May 14, Governor Newsom released his proposed state budget for 2026-2027. This “May Revise,” as it’s known, is an update to the budget the governor originally proposed in January, which included devastating cuts to state climate investments. The budget process is complex, but it’s an incredibly important piece of California’s climate progress. Our state’s … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Community Energy Resilience Transportation
| Post

How nature can help us adapt to weather extremes

California just experienced the hottest March on record and is on track for one of the wettest Aprils in a decade. We are also in the midst of the second-worst snow drought on record and a historic marine heatwave.  Now, there is a Super El Niño on its way that will very likely bring even … Read more

Categories Clean Energy