| Press Release

An alternative to keeping the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant open: Clean, decentralized energy

Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant

UPDATE August 24, 2022: Late last week, members of the California State Assembly circulated an alternative proposal for avoiding power outages that would avert the need for extending the life of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant. The Climate Center strongly supports the majority of this proposal and recommends state leaders prioritize investment in clean, distributed energy to address the … Read more

| Press Release

California launches new energy program modeled on the Community Energy Resilience Act

rooftop solar

SACRAMENTO, August 11, 2022 — Today, the California Energy Commission (CEC) held a workshop to mark the creation of a new $170 million Community Energy Resilience investment program. The program is modeled after the Community Energy Resilience Act (SB 833), which was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee today following the creation of the new … Read more

| Press Release

CPUC delays vote on new solar rules ‘indefinitely’ in win for energy and justice advocates

Save My Solar Job

February 4, 2022 — After months of debate surrounding the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) proposed rule changes regarding solar energy and storage, a judge on the commission announced Thursday that the matter “will not appear on the Commission’s voting meeting agenda until further notice.” In response, The Climate Center CEO Ellie Cohen said: “This … Read more

| Press Release

Senator Bill Dodd and The Climate Center introduce the Community Energy Resilience Act (SB 833)

Solar Installation

SACRAMENTO — Today, Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) and The Climate Center are introducing the Community Energy Resilience Act (SB 833). The bill proposes a program to assist cities and local governments in developing energy resilience plans using clean, distributed energy resources, curbing the demand for fossil-fueled generators during power outages. “Not only have recent power … Read more

| 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

| 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

| Blog Post

California’s budget surplus is a historic opportunity for climate-safe investments

We live in an extraordinary time for California’s budget. Despite previous predictions of a major COVID-induced deficit, the state instead is currently sitting on an unprecedented budget surplus to the tune of nearly $100 billion. This presents a massive opportunity to invest in climate resilience, clean energy, green jobs, and more. The legislative budget process … Read more

| Post

The Climate Center Testimony in Support of SB 99, the Community Energy Resilience Act of 2021

Senate Energy Committee Support Testimony for SB 99 https://senv.senate.ca.gov/ April 19, 2021 Hearing   Good afternoon Chairman Hueso, Vice-Chair Dahle and Members of the Committee. My name is Kurt Johnson, I’m the Community Energy Resilience Director at The Climate Center. Our flagship Climate-Safe California campaign aims to accelerate California climate policy timelines to achieve net-negative … Read more

| Post

Choking on fumes: Diesel generators are booming with state funding

Los Angeles Smog by Massimo Catarinella

In a state that takes pride in claiming to be a world leader in technology and reducing carbon emissions, state and local government decision-makers in California have taken a giant step backward in funding diesel back-up generators to mitigate for Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS).  In recent years, power shutoffs have cost California billions of … Read more

| Post

Support these bills– avoid Texas-scale catastrophe in CA 

Photo: Andrewglaser at English Wikipedia

[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_uid=’av-o4o9hj’ sc_version=’1.0′ admin_preview_bg=”] By Ellie Cohen, The Climate Center, and Ed Smeloff, Vote Solar Californians might be wondering about the connection between recent power outages in Texas and those in California last summer. While some are eager to blame renewables in both cases, the actual … Read more