Plenary Session

Read The Climate Center CEO Ellie Cohen’s opening remarks

See the plenary agenda on Eventleaf

Breakout Sessions

Please note that the transcripts provided below are AI-generated and intended for reference. They may contain missing words, misspellings, or other small errors. To request a correction or clarification, please contact info@theclimatecenter.org.

The Affordability Benefits of Distributed Energy

The Affordable Electricity Mandate: Accountability, Innovation, and Jobs	Panel transcript Moderator: Jose Torres, Affordable Energy Campaign Sam Appel, United Autoworkers (PDF) Katie Ramsey, Sierra Club Sachu Constantine, Vote Solar (PDF) Dr. Jenna Roper, Central California Asthma Collaborative Travis Gibrael, Reclaim Our Power
Embracing Flexibility for Reliable, Resilient, and Clean Electricity	Panel transcript Moderator: Arnab Pal, Deploy Action John Taggart, WeaveGrid (PDF) Erik Lyon, Renew Home (PDF) Dr. David Reichmuth, Union of Concerned Scientists (PDF) Kate Peters, The Brattle Group (PDF)
Using Electric School Buses for a More Affordable, Reliable, and Resilient Electrical Grid	Panel transcript Moderator: Pooja Agarwal, The Climate Center (PDF) Anna Bella Korbatov, Nuvve/Fermata Energy (PDF) Matthew Belasco, Pittsburg Unified School District (PDF) Michelle Levinson, World Resources Institute (PDF)

Phasing Out Polluting Fuels

From Here to a Holistic Transition Away from Fossil Fuels	Panel transcript Moderator: Quinn Eide, Fossil Free California Tai Milder, California Energy Commission (PDF) Josh Sonnenfeld, UC Berkeley Labor Center (PDF) Dr. Emily Grubert, Notre Dame Bahram Fazeli, Communities for a Better Environment (PDF)
The California Gasoline Scene: Refining, Supply, and Affordability	Panel transcript Moderator: Aarón Cantú, Capital & Main Ilonka Zlatar, Oil and Gas Action Network (PDF) Nick Plurkowski, United Steelworkers – Local 5 Dr. Gigi Moreno, California Energy Commission (PDF) Jamie Court, Consumer Watchdog (PDF)
Climate Super-Polluter Methane: Controlling Emissions at the Wellhead	Panel transcript Moderator: Liza Tucker, Consumer Watchdog Miguel Alatorre Jr., UNIDOS Network Inc. Kyle Ferrar, FracTracker Alliance (PDF) Jason Pfeifle, Center for Biological Diversity (PDF) Maro Kakoussian, Physicians for Social Responsibility – Los Angeles (PDF)

Carbon Drawdown

Roundtable Discussion: What Is Responsible Carbon Dioxide Removal?	Baani Behniwal, The Climate Center (PDF)
Spotlight: The Potential of Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) in California	Panel transcript Moderator: Kevin Travis, California Ocean Science Trust (PDF) Terry Tamminen, AltaSea Cheyenne Moreau, Hourglass Climate (PDF) Dr. Gaurav Sant, University of California, Los Angeles (PDF) Dr. David Koweek, Ocean Visions (PDF)
Innovative Financing Opportunities for Nature-Based Climate Solutions	Panel transcript Moderator: Michelle Passero, The Nature Conservancy, California Gary Knoblock, Conservation Innovations Group (PDF) Leo Beckerman, Zero Foodprint (PDF) Deborah Halberstadt, California Department of Insurance (PDF) Mike Kent, New Leaf Climate Partners (PDF)

Climate Investments in a Time of Fiscal Austerity	Panel transcript Moderator: Nuin-Tara Key, California Forward Leslie Chang, Caelux Daniel Barad, Union of Concerned Scientists Dr. Michael Wara, Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability
Ensuring Data Centers Are Climate-Friendly	Panel transcript Moderator: Jon Binder, Model Climate Laws Initiative Alison Kostusak, California State Senate Jessica C. Hogle, GridCARE Dr. Mark W. Toney, The Utility Reform Network Nico Procos, Silicon Valley Power (PDF)
Advanced Geothermal Energy Systems for California: Challenges and Opportunities	Panel transcript Moderator: Julia Sebastian, Jobs with Justice San Francisco Chris Snyder, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 3 Caity Smith, XGS Energy (PDF) Ann Garth, Clean Air Task Force (PDF) Miles Horton, Sonoma Clean Power