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Electricity rates have reached unacceptable levels for Californians in recent months. PG&E’s rates increased once again on March 1 and California state senators recently reprimanded the California Public Utility Commission for the approval of six PG&E rate hikes in the past year. In addition, Californians are paying for surging energy demand from the growth of … Read more
As the president dismantles climate progress and much more, California’s bold climate leadership is needed more urgently than ever. That’s why I’m especially excited about these three new climate bills before California’s state legislature. The Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act — introduced as SB 684 (Menjivar) in the Senate and AB 1243 (Addis) in the … Read more
On March 5, 2025, the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee held a hearing on Utility Wildfire Spending. In the wake of the Los Angeles fires, the state is considering how to mitigate wildfires sparked by utility infrastructure, and they should utilize the potential of distributed energy resources to build a cleaner, more resilient electricity system. The … Read more
On February 26, 2025, the California Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies held a hearing on the state’s Cap and Trade program. California’s Cap and Trade program. The program is supposed to be one of the most effective tools California has for both reducing climate pollution and generating funds to invest in climate solutions. … Read more
Big Oil spent a record $38 million on lobbying in California in 2024 to obstruct climate progress, shattering its 2017 record by 31 percent. The Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) and Chevron, which together accounted for 83 percent of the industry’s expenditure in 2024, broke their previous spending record, with a combined $31.6 million last … Read more
On February 19, 2025, the California Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee held a hearing on how to provide clean, affordable electricity. Electricity rates in California are nearly double the national average and have skyrocketed in recent years, outpacing inflation even while investor-owned utilities rake in record profits. The following expert testimony was provided to … Read more
State lawmakers will begin the long process of reauthorizing and possibly reforming California’s Cap and Trade program this year. Cap and Trade is California’s market-based system intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It works by setting a limit on the total amount of emissions allowed within the state, then allowing companies to buy and sell … Read more
While the new presidential administration is trying to dismantle much of the nation’s clean energy progress, the world is still investing twice as much in clean energy as it does in fossil fuels. The European Union is using less coal and natural gas and China had a record surge in clean energy projects in 2024, … Read more
The fossil-fueled Los Angeles fires are a heart-wrenching reminder of what the world is in for as we speed past 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming. Climate disasters have outpaced our ability to deal with them. As recovery efforts get underway in Los Angeles, rebuilding for more resilience is paramount, especially in the face of federal … Read more
I’ve always been passionate about helping others — whether it’s supporting a friend or family member, volunteering with youth, or stepping up in my studies. But I’ve always felt the urge to do more, to make a broader impact. That’s where policy comes in. It’s a powerful tool for creating meaningful change, ensuring that laws … Read more
