This week, California lawmakers met for a special legislative session to address affordability in California while also budgeting funds to defend against Trump’s likely attacks on climate action. So far, the special session has been mostly symbolic, with policy details to be tackled in January when the legislature reconvenes. State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and … Read more
California has a reputation for precedent-setting climate policy, and the last year has shown us why. Thanks to the support of our generous donors, The Climate Center has been at the center of passing nation-leading, new laws. This year, together with policymakers, scientists, business leaders, local governments, activists, and others across the climate movement, we: … Read more
This paper presents a pathway for reforms needed in California to achieve a future in which everyone has access to clean, affordable, and reliable electricity. The landscape in this new world is dotted with solar panels on every suitable rooftop, complemented by a resilient network of microgrids as well as mobile and stationary batteries that … Read more
Press event recording: Vehicle to Grid Integration in California – The Foundation of Getting to 100 Percent Clean Energy Slide deck
SACRAMENTO — Last night, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 59 (Skinner) into law. SB 59 authorizes the California Energy Commission (CEC) to require that classes of electric vehicles (EVs) sold in California have bidirectional charging capability, which makes it possible to use the enormous amount of energy stored in EV batteries to shore up the … Read more
Climate champions in the state legislature introduced critical bills this year aimed at supporting affordable and reliable clean energy and forcing oil and gas corporations to clean up their pollution. Four key bills survived and, with your help, could soon become law if signed by Governor Newsom: With major support from you and from across … Read more
Climate progress in the California legislature in 2024 was nowhere near what is needed to address the accelerating climate crisis. While our leaders must do more to rein in climate pollution and challenge Big Oil’s political influence, there are signs of hope to build on. This year, climate champions introduced bills to defend and grow … Read more
The key to building an affordable, resilient, and reliable energy system is increasing the use of distributed energy resources — things like rooftop solar, battery storage, and technologies that manage energy demand. California’s electricity rates are through the roof, creating an affordability crisis at the same time that extreme weather is hammering communities across the … Read more
On July 1, 2024, SB 59 passed out of the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee by a vote of 12-3. Introduced by Senator Nancy Skinner and sponsored by The Climate Center, SB 59 aims to unlock the potential for California’s millions of electric vehicles to shore up the electric grid, power homes during outages, and … Read more
For more than two weeks in June, fire crews battled more than 20 fires across California, including the 15,000-acre Post fire in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Experts are warning Californians to brace for a very active wildfire season. A wet winter that produced more vegetation than usual and record-breaking early heatwaves are already fueling … Read more
