Clean Energy

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Utilities are buying up distributed energy companies. Should Community Energy agencies take a lesson?

Sun Solar Electric Installing a system in Santa Rosa, Caliofrnia

The following article by Jeff St. John of Greentech Media demonstrates the burgeoning competition for electricity customers as utility monopolies lose their stronghold. Will Community Choice Energy agencies take a lesson and avoid losing their own customers? Considering their community focus, are Community Choice agencies developing sufficient opportunities and incentives for local solar to support … Read more

Categories Clean Energy
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2 new studies undermine climate denial arguments

Rick Perry

The below article by John H. Cushman Jr. of Inside Climate News re-asserts the importance of peer review in the scientific process. We all know that Rick Perry, “is not a climate scientist,” nor is anyone else in the Trump Administration. In light of that, perhaps they can leave decisions pertaining to climate science to … Read more

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Maddie Maffia joins the Center and talks climate impacts

Maddie Maffia

My name is Maddie Maffia, and I am a Sophomore at Oregon State University studying Environmental Science. This summer I have the privilege of interning in my hometown, Santa Rosa. I help The Climate Center with communications. I chose the Center because I admire its work spreading awareness and preserving the climate for generations to … Read more

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Are cities leading on climate?

Since President Trump withdrew from the Paris Accord, we have been hearing a banquet of news about how cities are leading on climate action. The Guardian recently devoted an article to showcasing New York City, Houston, Miami and San Francisco as good examples of climate leadership. According to the article, New York City has already … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Energy Efficiency Transportation
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Is 100% renewable energy doable?

With the publication of a study by Mark Z. Jacobson of Stanford University, the push for 100% renewables is seeing renewed fervor.  A group of U.S. Mayors just announced that they will back 100% renewable energy targets, and Senator Kevin de León recently introduced a new bill, SB100, to establish an overall state target of 100% clean … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Community Energy Resilience Fossil Fuels
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Solar manufacturers versus installers – who wins and loses with tariffs?

solar by Stacey Meinzen

The below article by Eric Wesoff and Stephen Lacey of Greentech Media points to the tension between the solar panel manufacturing industry and the solar installation industry in the U.S. Solar installers in the U.S. benefit greatly from cheaper imported panels, while U.S. manufacturers may suffer, creating pressure to implement a tariff.  Solar costs are hitting … Read more

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Should you be cynical about CEO and politician claims to support climate action?

Protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline by Fibonacci Blue

The below article by Bill McKibben was recently featured in RollingStone. He expresses cynicism over the claims of CEOs and politicians that they support climate action.  How to tell if your reps are serious about climate change Perhaps no president in recent times has unified the country, and the globe, as effectively as Donald Trump. … Read more

Categories Business Network Clean Energy
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Personal stories to inspire climate policy

Do you have a personal story about climate impacts? Jane Bender, President of the Board for The Climate Center, along with a group of climate activists, has been meeting with California Senator Dianne Feinstein’s legislative aides to strategize how they can help the Senator in efforts to move good climate policy forward. The aides say that … Read more

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Can blue states help red states move faster toward renewables?

The below article by Justin Gillis and Nadja Popovich of the New York Times poses an interesting question in light of “Trump country’s” move toward wind energy: Can blue states help red states move faster toward renewables? Originally titled, “In Trump Country, renewables thrive.” Two years ago, Kansas repealed a law requiring that 20 percent of the … Read more

Categories Clean Energy
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U.S. Department of Energy touts producing renewables yourself

The below information is posted on the U.S. Department of Energy’s website. This message might hold appeal for conservatives who value energy independence and choice. Consumer vs. Prosumer: What’s the Difference? by Daron Christopher, US Department of Energy Learn more about the Grid Modernization Initiative Most of us have been consuming electricity from the grid the … Read more

Categories Clean Energy