Clean Energy

| Press Release

California regulators propose new fees on small-scale solar and storage

FrogSong solar by Laurie-Ann Barbour

December 13, 2021 — Today, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a new proposed rule impacting small-scale solar energy and storage across California. The proposal includes a new fee structure that will make rooftop solar and customer-owned batteries cost-prohibitive for the average Californian. In response, The Climate Center Energy Program Manager Woody Hastings said: … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Community Energy Resilience
| Blog Post

The Climate Center Recognized as Official Observer NGO to the UN Climate Meetings! Follow us at COP26 in Glasgow

United Nations

We are thrilled that The Climate Center has been recognized as an official Observer NGO to the United Nations global climate meetings. This year’s conference, called COP26, will be held in Glasgow, Scotland from November 1-12, 2021. I’ll be there to learn from other climate champions and share our vision for a Climate-Safe California on … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Climate Justice
| Press Release

Governor Newsom announces $15 billion down payment for climate resilience, but more is needed

September 23, 2021 — Today, Governor Newsom announced a $15 billion climate package that includes nearly $4 billion for electric vehicles, $5 billion for drought management, and $1.5 billion for wildfires, forest management, and prescribed burns in the state of California. In response, The Climate Center CEO Ellie Cohen said: “We are grateful to Governor … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Community Energy Resilience Fossil Fuels Transportation
| Blog Post

The California climate bills that passed — and failed — in 2021

Capitol Building in Sacramento

With the crack of the gavel last Friday night, California’s 2021 legislative session came to a close. Overall, this was a lackluster year for climate action in the California legislature. The most ambitious climate bills — including a measure that would have set a net-negative emissions target, the most ambitious climate goal in the country … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Public Health Transportation
| Blog Post

Climate voters showed up for Governor Newsom, now it’s time for him to show up for us

State of the State Protest in Sacramento

It’s official: Governor Newsom has survived the recall attempt.  Climate voters mobilized by the millions in this election. When we cast our ballots, we voted for action to address the wildfires, toxic smoke, drought, and intense heat waves that have wreaked havoc across California this summer. With the recall behind him, it’s up to Governor … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Climate Justice Fossil Fuels
| Press Release

California legislative session ends with a whimper – The Climate Center response

Capitol Building in Sacramento

September 13, 2021 — Late Friday night, the California State Legislature adjourned for the remainder of the year. The close of the legislative session marked another year in which much-needed climate legislation was obstructed by fossil fuel corporations and their allies.  In response, Ellie Cohen, CEO of climate and energy policy nonprofit The Climate Center, … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Fossil Fuels
| Report

San Francisco Bay Area Greenhouse Gas Emission Trends for 2014 – 2019

San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge

The San Francisco Bay area is home to almost 8 million Californians. The region consists of rural, urban, industrial, and suburban areas that represent a wide cross-section of California. The Climate Center conducted a report to determine greenhouse gas trends in the region in order to help policymakers determine challenges and opportunities for reducing emissions … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Climate Targets Fossil Fuels Transportation
| Blog Post

IPCC warns of ‘unprecedented, irreversible’ climate change. Here’s what California can do.

August 9, 2021 — Today, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its Sixth Assessment Report, detailing the latest advances in climate science. The report warns that humans have “unequivocally” warmed the planet, causing “widespread and rapid” changes to Earth’s oceans, ice, and land surface. It also provides further evidence of the … Read more

Categories Clean Energy
| Report

Jobs and Climate Action in California

History, Resources, and Opportunities

Hybrid solar/wind system, 2400W windturbines, 4000W solar modules, island Zirje, Croatia by Nenad Kajić / Veneko.hr

As California responds to the climate crisis, new industries will grow and others will shrink. Research shows that hundreds of thousands of permanent jobs will be created by working towards state climate stabilization targets. At the same time, jobs in legacy industries — oil, gas, and refineries, for example — are likely to decline. Ensuring … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Just Transition
| Press Release

Governor Newsom directs CARB to explore 2035 carbon neutrality pathways – The Climate Center response

Photo by Tom Swinnen from Pexels

Santa Rosa, California, July 12, 2021 — Late on Friday, Governor Gavin Newsom directed the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to explore accelerated action to reduce climate pollution. CARB will model a pathway to carbon neutrality by 2035, ten years ahead of the state’s current goal, and the CPUC … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Fossil Fuels