Today, more than 95 percent of hydrogen is produced from natural gas, a fossil fuel, local air quality pollutant, and climate-wrecker. Hydrogen combustion produces significant amounts of nitrogen oxides that are directly harmful to human health and contribute to the formation of smog. Although hydrogen is not a direct greenhouse gas, it is considered an … Read more
On April 8, 2024, the California Assembly Committee on Budget met to hear from experts and the public on the proposed 2024-2025 state budget. Facing a multi-billion-dollar budget deficit, Governor Newsom has proposed billions in potential cuts to climate and energy investments. If approved by the legislature, the cuts could have disastrous consequences for communities … Read more
Sneha Ayyagari (she/her/hers) utilizes her background in engineering, policy analysis, and capacity building to help advocate for more climate resilient and equitable policies, organizations, and technologies. She focuses on policy advocacy and implementation efforts for topics including equitable building decarbonization, energy equity, and clean energy workforce and entrepreneurship. She has a background in policy advocacy and analysis across a range of energy topics including distributed energy resources, energy efficiency, and environmental justice climate mapping tools. Most recently, Sneha was a Senior Associate at RMI where she supported government agencies and advocates in creating equitable energy efficiency and housing policies.
Against the backdrop of an oil and gas production surge across the United States and alarming warming trends across the globe, a California bill introduced last year is gaining traction to slow fossil fuel expansion. SB 252 (Gonzalez), the California Fossil Fuel Divestment Act, would require the two largest public pension funds in the United … Read more
SB 1101 aims to mitigate wildfire damage by streamlining the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s (CAL FIRE) contracting and procurement process for beneficial fire, which combines prescribed burning, cultural fire practices, and natural fire management. Beneficial fire will cut back potential fire fuels and restore the health of our forests and grasslands. Indigenous … Read more
Climate-fueled extreme weather events, including extreme heat and atmospheric rivers, are causing more and more power outages across California. State leaders must invest in clean, resilient energy solutions, starting in frontline communities. Despite proposed cuts to the state’s climate budget, millions of dollars are already allocated to fund resilience initiatives across California, including community resilience … Read more
Steve Nissen is the President and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which promotes the business, cultural and civic well-being of Hollywood and among other activities confers the Stars on the world famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. Simultaneously, Mr. Nissen maintains a consulting practice as head of the Nissen Consulting Group. Prior to taking his current positions, from 2008-2020 Nissen was a Senior VP at NBCUniversal, responsible for state and local government affairs— from intellectual property protection, First Amendment and film production to land use and government compliance. Mr. Nissen has been the Chair of several civic organizations in L.A., including the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Central City Association, Los Angeles Economic Development Corp., FilmLA and the L.A. BioMed (now known as The Lundquist Institute). Nissen also is one of 10 Board Members of one of California’s largest charitable foundations, the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation. He has also served on the Executive Committees of the L.A. Police Foundation and Valley Industries and Commerce Association and is a Board Member of the Metropolitan YMCA.
California’s legislative climate champions are going to be tested as this year’s estimated state budget deficit ranges from $38 to $53 billion according to the California State Senate’s Early Action Budget report. As the fifth-largest economy in the world, California must lead on climate investments, but Governor Newsom’s current climate budget proposal includes a whopping … Read more
AB 1992 will protect and conserve blue carbon ecosystems, such as coastal wetlands, in the coastal permitting process. It will authorize the California Coastal Commission to require a contribution to a blue carbon demonstration project with any coastal development permit that will impact coastal wetlands, subtidal, intertidal, or marine habitats. Blue carbon refers to the … Read more
SB 1036 will penalize carbon offset marketers for misrepresenting the climate benefits of the offsets that they are selling. Under existing law, it is unlawful for a person to make an untruthful, deceptive, or misleading environmental marketing claim, whether explicit or implied. This bill would make it unlawful for a person to certify or issue … Read more
