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The CPUC is finishing up a process to review and possibly update the rules for what's known as the “Carrier of Last Resort” or COLR. Landlines are under threat. And a bill in the state legislature would cancel void solar contracts when a home was sold,
In this week's podcast we discuss the new solar tariffs from last week and then the most recent net energy metering changes just approved by the CPUC.About Jamie Duran & Solar HarmonicsBrought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California, who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for their home, business, or farm. You can check out the website for the top solar energy equipment installer, Solar Harmonics, here.In each episode we discuss questions facing people making the decision to go solar. The solutions to your questions are given to you – straight – by one of the leading experts in the solar industry, Jamie Duran, president of Solar Harmonics.Feel free to search our library for answers to questions that you're facing when considering solar.About Adam Duran & Magnified MediaSolarcast is produced and co-hosted by Adam Duran, director of Magnified Media. With offices in downtown San Francisco & Walnut Creek, California, Magnified Media is an internet marketing agency focused on digital marketing, local and national SEO, website design and lead generation for companies of all sizes.Magnified Media helps company leaders master their marketing by:• getting their website seen at the top of Google rankings, and• getting them more online reviews,• creating media content that engages with each client's target audience.In his spare time, Adam enjoys volunteering on the board of several community-based non-profits and his own weekly podcast Local SEO in 10.
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Today, we take you inside Sunrise Princeton's meeting to protest the Trump Administration's policies, delve into CPUC's latest meeting, and finish out by covering a press release regarding kidnapped graduate student Elizabeth Tsurkov.
En este episodio, analizamos los eventos clave que están impactando los mercados y la tecnología: Wall Street en espera de la Fed: Se espera que la Reserva Federal mantenga las tasas sin cambios, pero la atención se centra en las declaraciones de Jerome Powell y las proyecciones económicas. Discutimos el impacto de la política monetaria en un mercado afectado por tensiones comerciales y la caída del Mag-7. Oro en nuevos récords: El oro sigue en ascenso con seis sesiones consecutivas al alza, impulsado por incertidumbre geopolítica, inflación y temores de recesión. Evaluamos cómo los conflictos en Medio Oriente y las negociaciones entre Trump y Putin afectan los mercados. Tesla obtiene permiso clave en California: $TSLA recibe una autorización del CPUC para operar transporte de empleados, un paso hacia su futura red de robotaxis. Además, planea lanzar su servicio de transporte autónomo en Austin, Texas, en junio. ¿Está Tesla más cerca de dominar la movilidad autónoma? GM refuerza su alianza con Nvidia: $GM integrará la tecnología de IA de $NVDA en vehículos, fábricas y robots avanzados. Analizamos cómo la adopción de plataformas como Drive AGX y Omniverse impulsará la manufactura y la seguridad en la industria automotriz. Acompáñanos para entender cómo estos eventos están dando forma a los mercados, la tecnología y la innovación global. ¡Un episodio lleno de análisis estratégico!
California solar customers face potential penalty under new CPUC proposal Please Subscribe + Rate & Review KMJ’s Afternoon Drive with Philip Teresi & E. Curtis Johnson wherever you listen! --- KMJ’s Afternoon Drive with Philip Teresi & E. Curtis Johnson is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever else you listen. --- Philip Teresi & E. Curtis Johnson – KMJ’s Afternoon Drive Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 & 105.9 KMJ DriveKMJ.com | Podcast | Facebook | X | Instagram --- Everything KMJ: kmjnow.com | Streaming | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this week's podcast we discuss the latest tariffs on steel and aluminum, and the impact on the national solar industry. We also discuss the CPUC report presented to the CA governor's office on the rising cost of electricity.About Jamie Duran & Solar HarmonicsBrought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California, who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for their home, business, or farm. You can check out the website for the top solar energy equipment installer, Solar Harmonics, here.In each episode we discuss questions facing people making the decision to go solar. The solutions to your questions are given to you – straight – by one of the leading experts in the solar industry, Jamie Duran, president of Solar Harmonics.Feel free to search our library for answers to questions that you're facing when considering solar.About Adam Duran & Magnified MediaStraight-Talk Solar Cast is produced and co-hosted by Adam Duran, director of Magnified Media. With offices in downtown San Francisco, Los Angeles & Walnut Creek, California, Magnified Media is an digital marketing agency focused on online marketing, local and national SEO, website design and lead generation for companies of all sizes.Magnified Media helps company leaders master their marketing by:• getting their website seen at the top of Google rankings, and• getting them more online reviews,• creating media content that engages with each client's target audience.In his spare time, Adam enjoys volunteering on the board of several community-based non-profits and his own weekly podcast Local SEO in 10.
Today, we take you inside the Council of the Princeton University Community Meeting with President Eisgruber, the recent success of Princeton's ‘Making an Exoneree' course , and finish out with a behind the scenes look at Iman Monfopa Kone's Valentine's Day Data log. 'Making an Exoneree' Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpV9qkt7JHMThe 'Prince's Coverage: https://www.dailyprincetonian.com/article/2025/02/princeton-news-broadfocus-making-an-exoneree-course-frees-third-person-ivery-dorsey
What are public utility commissions (PUCs)? In the transition to clean energy, state public utility commissions (PUCs), which regulate electric, gas, telecommunications, water and wastewater utilities, play an increasingly important role in achieving energy efficiency, enabling renewable energy, and implementing policies for greenhouse gas emissions reduction. PUCs play a pivotal role in determining the energy mix, setting rates, and deciding on investments in infrastructure, such as electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), for example, has to balance safety, reliable utility service, and reasonable rates through the regulation of various large investor-owned electric, natural gas, and water utilities. Utility commissions like CPUC are given a statutory mandate to ensure reasonable, adequate and efficient service to customers at just and reasonable prices. PUCs can issue regulations that impact electricity generation, the adoption of clean energy, and related emissions of pollutants and GHGs. PUCs can play an important role in shaping energy infrastructure, policy, and clean energy development.The Role PUCs play in shaping energy infrastructurePUCs were first created in the early 20th century to focus on overseeing operations and the utility investment in service while ensuring affordable rates. That role has evolved, and now PUCs often play a transformative role in transitioning towards a greener economy. PUCs have the ability to consider the impacts of GHG emissions, equity, grid reliability, distributed energy resources, and increased consumer choices in their policy decisions. PUCs oversee planning processes that affect a utility's resource portfolio and therefore its environmental profile. A new method of planning amongst PUCs has emerged known as Integrated Resource Planning (IRP), which compares the life cycle costs of different resource choices that factor energy efficiency into their analysis. Portfolio standards have also been added to IRP, which requires certain types of resources to be included in the utilities' mix of power procured, including renewable energy and energy efficiency. PUCs can also incorporate environmental considerations by increasing oversight of utility planning processes, setting prices, determining clean energy targets, and addressing utility incentives related to energy efficiency and distribution. PUCs thus have the ability to promote and shape clean energy adoption and development through their regulatory oversight. The Case for PUCsState PUCs have significant authority, often includingI the ability to accelerate decarbonization of the energy sector, mitigate the impacts of climate change, improve public health, and assist in reaching state energy goals. Updated PUC statutory mandates that reflect state energy priorities can contribute to their success in transforming the energy grid to become more energy efficient. Energy efficiency is a cost-effective mechanism to meet future demand for electricity. Energy efficiency reduces the amount of electricity needed to meet demand thereby benefiting the overall reliability of the electric grid. With more efficient systems, utilities and states will not need to build as much new transmission and generation, which can save money and improve environmental quality. Further, modern regulations to achieve such priorities and framing for the public interest can incorporate climate and environmental justice concerns. The Case Against PUCsOrganizational challenges such as outdated mandates, staff constraints, gaps in technical knowledge, misinformation, and quasi-judicial processes have created barriers to innovation amongst PUCs. Some PUCs still continue to view themselves as purely economic regulators, which does not accurately reflect the current decisions they are being asked to make. Additionally, the authority of PUCs varies widely from state to state. PUCs authority is established by state legislatures, thus their power only extends as far as their statutory authorization. The level of statutory authority delegated to PUCs by legislatures also varies widely. Barriers such as these have made it difficult for some PUCs to develop more innovative mechanisms consistent with new environmental targets and the effort to achieve a zero-carbon US grid.While transitioning to clean energy promises long-term savings and environmental benefits, the short-term costs can be significant and potentially burdensome for consumers and businesses, posing political and fiscal challenges for PUCs. Stakeholder engagement in this transition will be vital. Labor issues also pose challenges as states transition away from fossil fuels. In addition, challenges exist around regulatory complexities and the evolving federal and state policies. About Our GuestJill Tauber is the Vice President of Litigation for Climate and Energy at EarthJustice. Jill leads the organization in achieving an equitable shift to clean energy through her litigation and legal advocacy work. Prior to serving as VP of Litigation, Jill worked as the Managing Attorney of Earthjustice's Clean Energy Program, focusing on achieving clean energy solutions across the country.ResourcesRMI: Purpose: Aligning PUC Mandates with a Clean Energy FutureRMI: The Untapped Potential of Public Utility CommissionsEPA: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency State Climate and Energy Technical Forum Background DocumentFurther ReadingColumbia Law: Public Utility Commissions and Energy EfficiencyFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/public-utilities-commissions-with-earthjustices-jill-tauber/
The CPUC approved another PG&E rate hike to start October 1st. PG&E says only 32% of your bill is impacted by rates and how much electricity you use. The other 68% is fees, subsidies and social service programs. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Broeske & Musson' on all platforms: --- The ‘Broeske & Musson Podcast' is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever else you listen to podcasts. --- ‘Broeske & Musson' Weekdays 9-11 AM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Facebook | Podcast| X | --- Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Christopher has and has had many roles in the solar and storage industry. Currently he is a consultant and has fractional leadership roles in various companies, such as Kevala. Christopher was also the CEO and COO of Blue Planet, which is pioneer in using Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) lithium-ion batteries. Christopher has worked with SEPA, CPUC and many others. Christopher Johnson takes things off the plate of busy CEOs. He lives and works in San Francisco, the climate tech capital of the world! Topics Covered: Kevala www.kevala.com Blue Planet www.blueplanetenergy.com Tesla Distributed Energy Ford F150 Bidirectional EVs California 100% EVs by 2035 Clean Energy Buyers Association www.cebuyers.com NorCal solar www.norcalsolar.com Rice University Batteries AI = Artificial Intelligence Seneca Nation EV = Electric Vehicle SEPA = Smart Electric Power Association www.sepapower.com SEIA = Solar Energy Industry Association www.seia.com RE+ www.re-plus.com VPPA = Virtual Power Purchase Agreement Tesla Powerwall NEM = Net Energy Metering Bidirectional Electric Vehicle Reach Christopher Johnson here: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/enlighten/ Learn more at www.solarSEAN.com and be sure to get NABCEP certified by takingSean's classes at www.heatspring.com/sean
It's been a tumultuous time for Californians and their electric bills. Since the start of this year alone, PG&E customers have seen one rate hike after another. Now, a fixed fee is being brought into the mix, leaving many wondering: how did we get here and is there any way to make sure California's energy systems stay up and running, while also keeping the cost to the customer affordable? We're going to get one perspective on all this with Loretta Lynch, former president of the California Public Utilities Commission and attorney in San Francisco. KCBS did reach out to the CPUC and PG&E with an invitation to be a part of this conversation and both entities declined, though PG&E did send information on price increases, which you'll hear some of during the conversation and at the end of this program.
Oak Grove staff cuts | Updated state budget deficit | Petaluma Planfest | Fatal RP motorcycle crash | CPUC flat rate protests | State anti pay to play legislation moves forward | Self checkout minimum staffing requirements Click the icon below to listen.
California energy regulators will decide on a proposal tomorrow that would restructure how utility companies bill for electricity. If approved, the price of electricity would drop, but residents would see a fixed charge for infrastructure costs. Also, Orland grew by nearly five percent last year, making it the fourth fastest-growing city in California, and Butte County will hold a community meeting in Bangor tomorrow about updating evacuation maps.
Beginning as early as next year you might see a new fixed monthly charge of up to $24 on your electric bill. That's if the California Public Utilities Commission approves a proposal to rework how we pay for power. The CPUC, which is taking a vote next week, says that the new charge would lower electricity costs for many Californians. But the reality is more complicated. We take a close look and hear what's driving high electricity prices in the state. Guests: Ben Christopher, reporter, CalMatters Loretta Lynch, former President, California Public Utilities Commission
加州公用事業委員會（CPUC）最近宣佈，數百萬加州人將從「加州氣候信貸」（California Climate Credit）基金中獲益，4月份的電費帳單會省下一筆費用。 聲明中說：「本州將為電力客戶提供超過16億美元的總付款，為天然氣客戶提供超過10億美元的付款，為小型企業提供超過1.6億美元的付款。 每個客戶的電費和燃氣費帳單的平均抵免額為146美元。 」 近年來加州對於緩解氣候變暖方面所付出的努力是有目共睹的。 發電過程就是造成氣候變暖的主要原因之一，通過燃燒化石燃料發電和供熱造成了巨大的全球排放量。 大部分電力仍舊是通過燃燒煤炭、石油或天然氣產生，過程中會產生二氧化碳和一氧化二氮——這些強效的溫室氣體會包覆地球並吸收太陽的熱量。 在全球範圍內，僅超過四分之一的電力來自風能、太陽能和其他可再生能源，與化石燃料相比，這些能源幾乎不或沒有向空氣中排放溫室氣體或污染物。 民用住宅和商業建築消耗了全球一半以上的電力。 由於這些建築仍使用煤炭、石油和天然氣來供暖和製冷，它們排放了大量的溫室氣體。 加州從2013年開始實施總量控制與交易計劃，要求煉油廠、水泥生產設施、石油和天然氣生產設施、玻璃製造設施、食品加工廠以及燃料分銷商等購買二氧化碳污染配額。 所產生的收入將為「加州氣候信貸」基金提供資金，同時為減少污染、增加就業以及推進清潔能源和交通解決方案的各種措施做出貢獻。 CPUC的聲明還說：「通過創新的總量控制與交易計劃，超過1,100萬戶住宅電力客戶、超過100萬個小型企業電力客戶和超過1,300萬戶住宅天然氣客戶將獲得32~174美元不等的電費抵免額，以及59~86美元不等的天然氣抵免額（4月份的公用事業帳單平均抵免額為146美元）。 一些工業客戶也將受益於電費抵免。 “該機構表示，這是自動福利，無需辦理任何手續即可獲得減免。
Welcome back to Experts Only Podcast! There's been a lot of excitement about unleashing a community solar market in California, and the potential to make it one of the most equitable community solar programs in the country. However, a March 4th proposed decision by the California Public Utilities Commission has put a community-solar plan backed by lawmakers, pro-solar groups, environmental-justice advocates, unions and homebuilders in jeopardy. This episode, our guest host, Scott Elias, better known as "ScottySolar," welcomes Derek Chernow from the Coalition for Community Solar Access, Matthew Freedman from The Utility Reform Network, and Alexis Sutterman from the California Environmental Justice Alliance to unpack the effort to revamp California's community solar market amidst the CPUC's proposed decision. Thank you for listening! For more information: - Comments of the Coalition for Community Solar Access on Proposed Decision Modifying Green Access Program Tariffs and Adopting a Community Renewable Energy Program: https://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Efile/G000/M527/K884/527884666.PDF - Former FERC Chair and CCSA challenge Proposed Decision on California community solar in opening comments: https://communitysolaraccess.org/news/former-ferc-chair-and-ccsa-challenge-proposed-decision-on-california-community-solar-in-opening-comments - Our Sun. Our Power. California: https://oursunourpower.com/state/california/
On the next Probably True Solar Stories, a psychic predicts a sunny future for a struggling solar installer and the entire California solar industry. But when the installer doesn't believe her, the psychic makes a bet that could cost him a free solar installation. Can the psychic really change the installer's future or the CPUC?True Solar TakeawaysRecent decisions by the California Public Utilities Commission have resulted in 17,000 solar job losses in California, and there could be more.https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/solar/rooftop/california-nem-3-0-layoffs-and-closures-set-in-six-months-after-controversial-ruling/Studies show that rooftop solar is a net cost benefit to all ratepayers.https://vibrantcleanenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/VCE-CCSA_CA_Report.pdfhttps://www.bu.edu/articles/2016/solar-energy-advantages/Under Net Energy Metering 3.0 (NEM 3.0), solar consumers receive a bill credit at the "avoided cost" or wholesale rate. To improve solar's ROI and payback, homeowners essentially have to buy a battery, increasing the upfront cost of solar and making solar less desirable in California.Retail electricity bills from California's three major utilities increased by at least 47%, with San Diego Gas & Electric experiencing a spike of 104%. https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2023/08/30/california-electricity-pricing-exploded-in-the-last-three-years-far-outpacing-inflation/California's Governor appointed the current CPUC commissioners and can influence them to review their recent misguided and devastating decisions for the rooftop and community solar industries. ----- Visit ProbablyTrueSolar.com to sign up for the newsletter to learn about new episodes and live solar storytelling events. Support the show by visiting the merch store and buying a tee shirt! Learn how sponsors can be a part of Probably True Solar Stories and tell their own creative stories. Follow @SolarFred and/or @ProbTrueSolar on Twitter to discuss episodes Don't forget to: Subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast streaming service Rate Review, and Share!
Today, we'll discuss Community Solar in California, a rapidly expanding industry that the CPUC will regulate starting in July 2024. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/patrick-ball/message
We'll dig into a recap of President Biden‘s State of the Union address with journalist and political analyst Michael Shure. His thoughts on whether President Biden successfully delivered his message to the nation, on the issues the President highlighted and on the lack of decorum on the House floor. Donald Trump rolls out the red carpet at Mar-a-Lago for Hungary's Viktor Orban... PG&E is raising rates again. The CPUC says it's okay to charge users more. When is enough enough? A Stories from the Sky that includes more parts falling off airplanes! A big beautiful Friday Fabulous Florida. It looks like we have gators and drug fueled crime sprees! Friday is looking better & better! The Culture Blaster fires up his entertainment endorsement machine. Michael Snyder is kind enough to bring us a look at this week's best movies, tv shows and more!
The CPUC has approved Waymo's expansion plans even though it suspended the company in February. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today, we cover calls for divestment at Monday's CPUC meeting, affordable housing in Princeton, the effects of this year's delayed FAFSA release, and a migrant ship intercepted on its way to the Canary Islands.
Ed's recent misadventure renting an electric car prompts the gang to share similar experiences, and consider what they might mean for EV adoption. Plus: discussion of Ford's new affordable EV skunkworks, Cruise's CPUC penalty hearing and Waymo's cyclist collision in San Francisco.
ICYMI: Later, with Mo'Kelly Presents – A look at everything from Withings ‘Body Comp Complete Body Analysis Smart Wi-Fi Scale' to the AT&T Proposal which endangers landlines for 580,000 in California by requesting CPUC to end its legal obligations as carrier of last resort and more on ‘Tech Thursday' with regular guest commentator; (author, podcast host, and technology pundit) Marsha Collier - on KFI AM 640 – Live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app
Over a quarter or all motor vehicle deaths are due to excessive speed. Why are we in such a rush and where are we going? No idea. This week we dig into Intelligent Speed Assist and ponder the question if it's the consumer preventing solutions or the auto makers? If regulators got involved then we could save over 10,000 lives per year.Plus San Francisco sues the CPUC over self driving cars, taller cars are deadlier cars, Fred explains why we don't need cars that can go over 100mph and we cover a few recalls.This weeks links:https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/01/23/san-francisco-lawsuit-robotaxi-waymo-cruise/https://www.forbes.com/sites/bradtempleton/2024/01/22/waymo-plans-massive-robotaxi-service-area-but-not-massive-enough/amp/https://www.npr.org/2023/12/06/1216557190/car-crash-accident-speeding-technology-slow-down-speed-assistancehttps://www.iihs.org/media/58eefc7b-1754-4058-9bf9-f7ff5a19e5d3/tjKRLQ/misc/Vehicle-based-speeding-prevention.pdfhttps://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/jan/21/readers-reply-why-are-cars-designed-to-be-capable-of-going-much-faster-than-the-speed-limithttps://arstechnica.com/cars/2024/01/higher-vehicle-hoods-significantly-increase-pedestrian-deaths-study-finds/https://www.msn.com/en-in/autos/news/german-firm-starts-remote-driving-car-service-in-las-vegas/ar-AA1n7qWnhttps://apnews.com/article/ban-humorous-messages-electronic-highway-signs-3c7b0d11475d2b255f7edd197af771cchttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V025-2374.PDFhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V023-9561.PDFhttps://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V031-8781.PDF
How does transitioning to renewable energy challenge the electric grid?As of 2022, renewable and non-greenhouse gas emitting sources accounted for 52% of California's in-state electricity generation with the remaining 48% fueled by natural gas. Legislation passed in 2018 mandates that the state must reach at least 60% renewable energy by 2030 which California is quickly on its way to meet. The 60% goal adds ambition to the emissions reduction goals set by SB 32, the 2016 update to prior landmark climate legislation that required California to reduce its emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. Transitioning to reliance on renewable energy sources introduces new challenges to the electrical grid, which was designed primarily around gas-fired power plants that can operate 24 hours a day. The majority of California's renewable energy comes from solar and wind. Such renewable energy generation varies depending on the time of day and season, among other factors. Compared to gas-fired power plants, solar and wind energy isn't as predictable or transferable from one location to another.With limited energy storage capacity, the US electrical grid lacks the infrastructure necessary to store large amounts of energy, so the variability of wind and solar energy makes it more challenging to balance energy supply and demand in real-time, which is an essential function of the energy system. As a result, the energy system design must evolve to meet the challenges of solar and wind variability, particularly during periods of peak demand, in order to ensure grid stability and sufficient energy support. At the same time, California's energy grid has seen a large growth in demand due to the electrification of the transportation and residential sectors. Electric vehicle (EV) sales are 60 times higher than they were a decade ago and continue to rise, increasing by 85% from 2020 to 2021 alone. In 2023, EV sales in California account for 25% of EVs sold in the US. California has also enacted higher building energy efficiency standards to help accelerate the decarbonization movement. As of 2023, all new buildings must have at least one heat pump for heating or water heating, or they will face higher energy efficiency requirements. This growth in the prevalence of electric appliances and vehicles has increased the demands on the electric grid. This can be a particular problem if EV owners charge their cars or run their appliances at the same time that other electricity demand is at its peak. A California's Public Utilities Commission report published in 2023 found the state needs to invest at least $50 billion by 2035 in order to accommodate high adoptions of distributed energy resources associated with transportation and building electrification. Energy Storage as a SolutionImproving solar battery storage is vital in accelerating a transition to clean energy as these batteries store solar energy during the day and deliver it back to the grid at night when power is more expensive and carbon-intensive to produce. As of October 2023, California has increased its energy battery storage capacity by 757% to 6,600 megawatts. The state still needs to continue increasing its capacity to 52,000 megawatts to meet clean electricity demands by 2045. These batteries are also especially vital as climate change is increasing the intensity of heatwaves and wildfire seasons leading to increased Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). During hazardous conditions, electricity companies turn off power circuits to reduce the risk of power lines falling and igniting a wildfire. Solar batteries are one tool to help alleviate the loss of power and can deliver electricity to areas prone to PSPS blackouts. However, large-scale batteries are not a perfect solution as they have considerable environmental costs and require many rare minerals in their production, which have significant associated sustainability and mining costs. Other energy storage technologies from green hydrogen to reservoir storage of hydropower can also help the state meet its energy demands.About the Guest: Dr. Carla PetermanAs PG&E's Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Dr. Carla Peterman directs the corporation's sustainability and regulatory efforts. Previously, Dr. Peterman served as an energy official within the California government, including as CPUC commissioner, where she oversaw their $768 million EV charging infrastructure investment in 2018. Dr. Peterman received a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley's Energy and Resources Group in 2017, writing her dissertation on state policy for solar energy. For a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/balancing-the-grid-californias-shift-to-renewable-energy-sources/
In this week's podcast we discuss the new rulng by the CPUC regarding the elimination of the rate arbitrage with battery storage. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California, who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for their home, business, or farm. Here, you can check out the website for the top solar energy equipment installer, Solar Harmonics. In each episode we discuss questions facing people making the decision to go solar. The solutions to your questions are given to you – straight – by one of the leading experts in the solar industry, Jamie Duran, president of Solar Harmonics. Have a question about solar? Chances are Jamie's answered it in our searchable podcast library! About Adam Duran & Magnified Media Solarcast is produced and co-hosted by Adam Duran, director of Magnified Media. With offices in downtown San Francisco & Walnut Creek, California, Magnified Media is a digital marketing agency focused on online marketing, local and national SEO, website design and lead generation for companies of all sizes. Magnified Media helps company leaders master their marketing by: • getting their website seen at the top of Google rankings, and • getting them more online reviews, • creating media content that engages with each client's target audience. In his spare time, Adam enjoys volunteering on the board of several community-based non-profits and hosting his own weekly podcast Local SEO in 10. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/straight-talk-solarcast/message
CPUC approves PG&E rate increases. California's first and only Black-led conservation group acquires land in Placer County. Sutter Street Theatre's “Holiday in the Hills.” PG&E Rate Increase PG&E customers will be paying close to $400 more per year for their service due to new rate hikes approved earlier this month by the California Public Utilities Commission. While the rate hikes were not a surprise, they come at a time where customers are dealing with massive cost of living increases. Mark Toney, Executive Director of TURN (The Utility Reform Network), joins us to discuss the impact of the increases especially on lower income, vulnerable Californians. Note: PG&E's press release regarding the rate increases can be found here. Black-led Conservation Group Acquires Placer County Land Accessing the outdoors can provide a variety of benefits, including improving one's physical and mental well-being. But many people in highly-urban areas, especially people of color, can face barriers when trying to access these opportunities. Recently, California's first - and only - Black-led conservation group acquired hundreds of acres of land in Placer County to provide more economic, environmental, and recreational equity. Jade Stevens, President of the 40 Acre Conservation League talks about the organization's history, and its plans for the new parcel. Sutter Street Theatre's ‘Holiday in the Hills' “Holiday in the Hills” returns to Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom. Director Mike Jimena and Artistic Director Connie Mockenhaupt discuss the research that went into this year's family-friendly rendition. The play takes place in the late 1800's and everyone you see onstage was an actual resident or visitor to Folsom at that time of year. “Holiday in the Hills” runs Dec. 2 to Dec. 23 and is rated G.
Why Community?It's easy to feel despair about climate change and environmental destruction. But despair can make it hard to forge connections and take action. According to emotion researchers, hope means believing that you have the power to improve problems, rather than ignoring them. One possible source of hope? Community building events, where diverse groups of activists can find common ground.What is Bioneers?Climate Break spoke with Teo Grossman, Senior Director of Programs and Research for the longstanding environmental conference Bioneers, about how community building events like the Bioneers conference foster hope and catalyze action. Now in its 34th year, Bioneers is an interdisciplinary environmental organization whose annual conference brings together environmental advocates and innovators from a wide variety of disciplines to share stories and brainstorm solutions. Grossman joined Bioneers in 2014 but first spoke there while still a college student in the early 2000s. He says his time at Bioneers has convinced him that community events and storytelling are powerful tools for change. Bioneers's HistoryThroughout its history, Bioneers has been home to new ways of thinking about environmental activism.The annual conference helped spawn major climate organizations like 350.org and inspired some of Michael Pollan's early work on the food system. Grossman also highlights its role in advancing the Rights of Nature legal movement. Rights of Nature seeks to recognize nature itself – like bodies of water and endangered species – as having legal rights. In 2008, Bolivia became the first country to include explicit rights for nature in their constitution. Other countries have since followed suit. Bioneers TodayBioneers has expanded since its inception, and now includes year round media and educational programming in addition to its annual conference. Grossman says they're especially proud of their Native-led Indigeneity Program, which includes youth leadership scholarships and forums. This year's conference includes speakers from throughout the world of climate and environmental justice, including political scientist Leah Stokes, clean-tech entrepreneur Danny Kennedy, and One Fair Wage President Saru Jayaraman. Also on the agenda? Conversations about the role fiction writing and narrative can play in restoring hope to the environmental movement, hosted by science fiction author Kim Stanley Robinson and essayist Rebecca Solnit. Bioneers is holding its annual conference April 6-8 in Berkeley. You can learn more about the conference on their website.Other Resources for Finding CommunityIn addition to Bioneers, there are plenty of other ways to find hope and connect with the environmental movement. Interested in making decarbonization your job? Resources like Climatebase and Work on Climate offer centralized job listings and career support. You can also seek workshops and seminars to hear new perspectives on environmental issues. International organizations like Resources for the Future host lectures and workshops to highlight ongoing research, while in the Bay Area, local groups like the SF Federal Reserve and the Commonwealth Club's Climate One host lectures both in person and online. Looking for ways to take direct action? Databases like the CA Climate Action Portal map climate action by local government. Research the climate action – or inaction – your local government is doing to find ways to get involved. You may be able to attend public meetings for your energy providers, where you can meet other constituents and advocate for just and renewable energy. For example, San Francisco CCA Clean Power SF holds regular meetings over zoom that are welcome to the public. To go even bigger, attend public meetings by statewide regulatory agencies like the CPUC, which oversees the rates and investments of California utilities like PG&E. About the GuestTeo Grossman is Senior Director of Programs and Research for Bioneers, where he helps lead both conference development and Bioneers's year-round media production. He studied environmental science and management as a Doris Duke Conservation Fellow at UC Santa Barbara and first began working with Bioneers as a Program Manager in the early 2000s. For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/community-as-antidote-to-climate-despair-with-teo-grossman/
Loretta Lynch is fired up.The former President of the California Public Utilities Commission is sounding the alarm on a proposed change to California's commercial electricity providers' rate structure that, she says, will dramatically increase rates for electricity customers. AB 205 easily passed the legislature and was signed by the Governor as a Budget Trailer Bill back in the summer of 2022. It received little attention at the time, although some observers did flag it as a stretch of the Trailer Bill application.AB 205 directs the utilities to set a tiered rate structure based on the customer's income, rather than a straight rate for electricity used. Proponents of the change say that the tiered structure will protect lower-income customers as electricity rates increase - they have already doubled in the past decade - and that the higher-income users will offset the lower rates paid by lower tier customers. Lynch argues that California's private electric companies are already charging higher rates than companies in other states and that there are no protections for lower income consumers actually in the bill. Now, Lynch and other critics of AB 205 including members of the legislature, are urging the CPUC to intervene before it's too late.:50 A big spike in electricity rates?2:39 AB2054:46 The rate tiers6:11 Urban vs. rural?8:27 privacy concerns12:14 Where is this push coming from?13:51 Do the raised rates have to fund a specific project?16:04 "The PUC is no longer a watch dog - it's a lap dog"16:47 A cash grab?19:08 Lawmaker pushback21:37 What can the PUC do?25:02 Convert PG&E to a publicly-owned utility?28:54 What role does the Governor have?32:10 Shameless plug for the Education Conference33:43 #WWCAWant to support the Capitol Weekly Podcast? Make your tax deductible donation here: capitolweekly.net/donations/Capitol Weekly Podcast theme is "Pickin' My Way" by Eddie Lang"#WorstWeekCA" Beat provided by freebeats.io
In this week's podcast we discuss the potential elimination of the VNEM (Virtual Net Metering) and NEMA (Aggregate Net Metering) by the #CPUC and the impacts on the housing and solar industries. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California, who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for their home, business, or farm. Here, you can check out the website for the top solar energy equipment installer, Solar Harmonics. In each episode we discuss questions facing people making the decision to go solar. The solutions to your questions are given to you – straight – by one of the leading experts in the solar industry, Jamie Duran, president of Solar Harmonics. Have a question about solar? Chances are Jamie's answered it in our searchable podcast library! About Adam Duran & Magnified Media Solarcast is produced and co-hosted by Adam Duran, director of Magnified Media. With offices in downtown San Francisco & Walnut Creek, California, Magnified Media is a digital marketing agency focused on online marketing, local and national SEO, website design and lead generation for companies of all sizes. Magnified Media helps company leaders master their marketing by: • getting their website seen at the top of Google rankings, and • getting them more online reviews, • creating media content that engages with each client's target audience. In his spare time, Adam enjoys volunteering on the board of several community-based non-profits and hosting his own weekly podcast Local SEO in 10. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/straight-talk-solarcast/message
米Cruiseと米Waymoの無人タクシーが、サンフランシスコで24時間営業の許可を取得 – fabcross for エンジニア カリフォルニア州公益事業委員会（CPUC）は2023年8月10日、自動運転車 […]
The long-simmering culture war between the high tech sector and the rest of the San Francisco Bay Area erupted around the issue of AVs in recent weeks, as the CPUC voted to expand robotaxi operations in the city. The gang gathers this week to discuss the public outcry, the CPUC hearing, the subsequent crashes and other issues, and where it all fits into the AV sector's big picture.
On this day in legal history, August 21, 1878, the American Bar Association or ABA was formed.The American Bar Association (ABA) was established on August 21, 1878, in Saratoga Springs, New York, marking a pivotal moment in American legal history. At a time when the legal profession was primarily comprised of sole practitioners, 100 lawyers from 21 states founded the ABA with the stated aim of advancing jurisprudence, promoting justice, and ensuring uniformity of legislation. Since its inception, the ABA has grown to represent approximately half of all lawyers in the United States, with additional categories of associate and international memberships.Throughout its history, the ABA has not been without its warranted criticisms and controversies. The Association's past stances on race led to marked scrutiny, with a notable incident in 1912 where William H. Lewis's admission was rescinded due to his race, a policy only changed in 1943. This legacy spurred the creation of the National Bar Association by African-American lawyers in 1925. In recent years, the ABA has made attempts to increase diversity, such as electing its first African American and Hispanic-American presidents and achieving a majority-female roster of officers in 2016. More recently, criticism extends to policy positions, drawing ire particularly from conservative viewpoints for its stances on issues like abortion, gun control, and same-sex marriage. Additional criticism has been directed at the ABA's failure to keep pace with the changing demands of modern society, its resistance to regulatory reform, and its handling of the practice of law in modernity. A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has ruled that AI-generated art does not qualify for copyright protection as it lacks human authorship. The case was brought by computer scientist Stephen Thaler, who sought copyright registration for a piece created by his AI program "Creativity Machine," but the U.S. Copyright Office denied his application. Judge Beryl A. Howell's decision is the first in the U.S. to define legal boundaries for AI-generated art, a rapidly growing field. Citing previous cases where non-human creations were denied copyright protection, Howell stated that courts have consistently refused to recognize copyright in works without human involvement. The ruling opens up questions about how much human input is required for AI-generated works to qualify for copyright and how to determine the originality of such art. Thaler's attorney plans to appeal, but the Copyright Office believes the court's decision was correct. The ruling adds to an ongoing debate about copyrightability in the era of AI, as the Copyright Office recently granted limited copyright registration for an AI-assisted graphic novel, further complicating the issue.AI-Generated Art Lacks Copyright Protection, D.C. Court Says (1)A federal judge has rejected a $6 million class settlement between Tesla Inc. and homeowners who claimed the company engaged in a bait-and-switch with rooftop solar panel prices. In 2016, Tesla introduced a solar panel that resembled a tiled roof, and plaintiffs Matthew Amans and Babek Malek alleged that the company initially lured customers with a low cost before hiking the prices in April 2021. The proposed settlement included specific sums for customers who incurred additional costs or chose to proceed at the increased price. The plaintiffs asked Judge Vince Chhabria to preliminarily approve the deal in June, which would cover around 8,200 class members. However, Judge Chhabria denied the approval motion, stating that the filing didn't adequately explain the case's strengths and weaknesses or sufficiently clarify how the parties calculated the relief amounts. The case was dismissed without prejudice which means we will see a refiling of the motion for preliminary approval of class action settlement. Tesla $6 Million Solar Roof Price-Hike Deal Rejected by JudgeAn investor in AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc. will drop a lawsuit demanding a board election at the movie theater chain, as the company has scheduled its first general shareholder meeting in over a year for November 8. The parties agreed to dismiss the litigation in Delaware's Court of Chancery with prejudice, meaning the case cannot be refiled. The lawsuit was filed in July, in conjunction with a separate shareholder case over AMC's APE units. An approved nine-figure settlement on August 11 allowed AMC to enact a plan to convert its preferred stock to common shares, with APE units ceasing to trade on August 25. The Chancery Court denied a motion to stop the conversion from one objecting investor. Meanwhile, another AMC investor filed a new lawsuit this week alleging that the settlement shortchanges APE holders. In a related development, AMC has sued its insurers in Delaware Superior Court for refusing to fund the settlement.AMC Investor Agrees to Drop Lawsuit Over Chain's Annual MeetingCalifornia's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is investigating "recent concerning incidents" involving General Motors' autonomous vehicle unit Cruise, after a robotaxi was involved in a collision with an emergency vehicle in San Francisco. The DMV has requested Cruise to reduce its active fleet by 50% until the investigation is completed and road safety improvements are made, a request Cruise has agreed to. The accident occurred when a fire truck operating in an emergency mode collided with one of Cruise's cars, resulting in non-life-threatening injuries to the sole passenger. Cruise stated that the car identified the risk and initiated a braking maneuver but was unable to avoid the crash. This incident comes after the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted to allow Cruise and Waymo's robotaxis to operate at all hours and charge passengers in San Francisco, despite opposition. Following the accident, City Attorney David Chiu has requested a halt to CPUC's decision, citing that the technology is not yet ready.California regulator probes crashes involving GM's Cruise robotaxis | Reuters Get full access to Minimum Competence - Daily Legal News Podcast at www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe
Jame Gross interviews Edward Niedermeyer, the author of Ludicrous: The Unvarnished Story of Tesla Motors. Nathan Robinson has suggested that there is "probably no greater expert on the career of Elon Musk and the development of Tesla [than Niedermeyer]." His insights regarding Tesla Autopilot in particular have been cited repeatedly. Chapters: 00:00 - 03:54 CPUC ruling on paid operations on L4 AVs in San Francisco 03:55 - 07:29 Will L4 AVs lead to much less traffic violence? 07:30 - 09:09 Teslas are not L4 AVs 09:10 - 21:03 Are urbanists are wrong about L4 AVs? 21:04 - 27:56 The L4 AV tech is very real and should push automakers to do more 27:57 - 35:50 Demos of different vision technology, regulation and safety marketing 35:51 - 38:10 AV technology is how we get out of car monopoly hell In August 2023, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved permits for Cruise and Waymo to charge fares for passenger service in San Francisco. The CPUC agreement for AVs to operate in San Francisco includes a number of safety and operational requirements that the companies must meet. These requirements include: The AVs must be equipped with a variety of sensors and cameras to detect and avoid obstacles. The AVs must be able to operate in a variety of weather conditions. The AVs must have a safety driver on board who can take control of the vehicle if necessary. The AVs must be operated in a safe and responsible manner. The approval of the CPUC agreement is a major milestone for the development and deployment of AVs in San Francisco. It is the first time that AVs have been allowed to operate without a safety driver on board in a major U.S. city. The agreement is expected to help to accelerate the development and commercialization of AVs, and it could lead to the widespread deployment of AVs in San Francisco and other cities in the future.
Just days after getting the green light to expand service in San Francisco, robotaxi firm Cruise suffered a meltdown with several cars coming to a dead stop on a street in North Beach last Friday, blocking traffic. City leaders weren't happy with the CPUC giving approval last week. Will this latest service disruption make a difference?
With Alex and Kirsten sweating it out in Arizona (and Ed staying smugly cool in Oregon), a conversation about cars and air conditioning leads the gang across a wide range of mobility topics. From the upcoming AV showdown at California's CPUC and Tesla's Rangegate scandal to ChargePoint's decision to actually monitor EV chargers (imagine!), stay cool by staying on top of the hottest issues in mobility tech.
0:08 — Brian Concannon is a human rights lawyer and the Founder and Executive Director of the Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti. 0:33 — Joe Eskenazi, managing editor and columnist at Mission Local. The post UN Vote to Send Security Forces to Haiti; CPUC Vote on Self-driving Taxis appeared first on KPFA.
On Thursday, May 25, Capitol Weekly presented a conference examining California's climate goals – specifically the plan to move beyond gas-powered vehicles. This episode was recorded live at ROADMAP 2035: Cars, Carbon and Climate Change – How Do We Meet California's Zero Emissions Goals? on Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Sacramento. This episode presents the Keynote, with California Public Utilities Commissioner John Reynolds in conversation with Capitol Weekly Editor Rich Ehisen.By 2035 all new passenger cars, trucks and SUVs sold in California must be zero emissions. California's Advanced Clean Cars II regulations will rapidly scale down light-duty passenger car, pickup truck and SUV emissions starting with the 2026 model year.And, it's not just happening in California. In March, the European Union announced a law to end sales of new CO2-emitting cars in 2035. Multiple states, including Oregon have similar mandates in place, and the Environmental Protection Agency has proposed new rules that could require up to two-thirds of all new cars sold in the US by 2032 to be zero emission vehicles.Despite these ambitious goals, major challenges remain. How does California meet the timelines for decarbonisation?Thanks to our ROADMAP 2035 sponsors:THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE OF SOVEREIGN INDIAN NATIONS, WESTERN STATES PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION, KP PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PERRY COMMUNICATIONS, CAPITOL ADVOCACY, LUCAS PUBLIC AFFAIRS, THE WEIDEMAN GROUP and CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS
In preparation for launching Season 2 of Probably True Solar Stories, we've combined all three parts of "The Solar Heist, or How I Got Into the Solar Business" into a single 53-minute episode. Two neighbors meet unexpectedly at an Oakland, California coffee shop that specializes in dark, rich coffee. Mazz owns a trucking business by day and is a thief at night. Charlie is a solar project developer by day and a guy with an international solar problem that can only be solved by Mazz.After a somewhat successful solar panel heist, the two neighbors become friends. Inspired by Charlie, Mazz opens a legitimate residential solar business while Charlie builds his large-scale solar project. But when Mazz unexpectedly sees that Charlie is working for an underworld acquaintance, Mazz realizes that Charlie may be more of a threat than a friend.True Solar TakeawaysThe solar installation industry is made up of residential, commercial, and utility-scale installers. There's a U.S. law against importing solar panels made with forced labor.Some solar developers hire quality assurance companies to monitor the supply chains and factories.All solar installations, regardless of size, can now receive a U.S. 30% tax credit. Big developers can also receive other tax incentives.Chinese solar panels still have import tariffs, as of 2022."Procurement" means sourcing, purchasing, and delivering equipment.Generally, large solar asset owners hire an experienced solar developer to take care of building the product. The solar developer may in turn hire an "EPC," which stands for engineering, procurement, and construction.After the writing of this story, it was reported that the U.S. government has confiscated gigawatts (GWs) of solar panel shipments. Large-scale developers typically only buy solar panels that are on a "Tier 1" list that's sold by Bloomberg. Even if the Tier 1 solar manufacturer is financially sound and honors the warranty, if you have a huge project, the replacement time and cost will be huge. With the passage of the IRA (Inflation Reduction Act of 2022), all solar projects, regardless of size, receive a 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) if they pay prevailing wages.Solar projects that are built on landfills, brownfields, and EPA superfund sites can get bonus ITCs.The solar industry is filled with acronyms and jargon. AHJ (Authorities Having Jurisdiction) are the permitting authorities that review and approve the building of solar projectsPTO (Permission to Operate) is the official utility permission to start generating solar power on the utility's grid. PUC (or in California, the CPUC) stands for Public Utility Commission. The PUC regulates utilities and approves or modifies utility rates and sets policies for a state's public utilities.Single Axis Trackers (SATs) are used in most large solar projects today. Solar project owners are paid by utilities for eve Visit ProbablyTrueSolar.com to sign up for the newsletter to learn about new episodes and live solar storytelling events. Support the show by visiting the merch store and buying a tee shirt! Learn how sponsors can be a part of Probably True Solar Stories and tell their own creative stories. Follow @SolarFred and/or @ProbTrueSolar on Twitter to discuss episodes Don't forget to: Subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast streaming service Rate Review, and Share!
Why Community?It's easy to feel despair about climate change and environmental destruction. But despair can make it hard to forge connections and take action. According to emotion researchers, hope means believing that you have the power to improve problems, rather than ignoring them. One possible source of hope? Community building events, where diverse groups of activists can find common ground.What is Bioneers?Climate Break spoke with Teo Grossman, Senior Director of Programs and Research for the longstanding environmental conference Bioneers, about how community building events like the Bioneers conference foster hope and catalyze action. Now in its 34th year, Bioneers is an interdisciplinary environmental organization whose annual conference brings together environmental advocates and innovators from a wide variety of disciplines to share stories and brainstorm solutions. Grossman joined Bioneers in 2014 but first spoke there while still a college student in the early 2000s. He says his time at Bioneers has convinced him that community events and storytelling are powerful tools for change. Bioneers's HistoryThroughout its history, Bioneers has been home to new ways of thinking about environmental activism.The annual conference helped spawn major climate organizations like 350.org and inspired some of Michael Pollan's early work on the food system. Grossman also highlights its role in advancing the Rights of Nature legal movement. Rights of Nature seeks to recognize nature itself – like bodies of water and endangered species – as having legal rights. In 2008, Bolivia became the first country to include explicit rights for nature in their constitution. Other countries have since followed suit. Bioneers TodayBioneers has expanded since its inception, and now includes year round media and educational programming in addition to its annual conference. Grossman says they're especially proud of their Native-led Indigeneity Program, which includes youth leadership scholarships and forums. This year's conference includes speakers from throughout the world of climate and environmental justice, including political scientist Leah Stokes, clean-tech entrepreneur Danny Kennedy, and One Fair Wage President Saru Jayaraman. Also on the agenda? Conversations about the role fiction writing and narrative can play in restoring hope to the environmental movement, hosted by science fiction author Kim Stanley Robinson and essayist Rebecca Solnit. Bioneers is holding its annual conference April 6-8 in Berkeley. You can learn more about the conference on their website.Other Resources for Finding CommunityIn addition to Bioneers, there are plenty of other ways to find hope and connect with the environmental movement. Interested in making decarbonization your job? Resources like Climatebase and Work on Climate offer centralized job listings and career support. You can also seek workshops and seminars to hear new perspectives on environmental issues. International organizations like Resources for the Future host lectures and workshops to highlight ongoing research, while in the Bay Area, local groups like the SF Federal Reserve and the Commonwealth Club's Climate One host lectures both in person and online. Looking for ways to take direct action? Databases like the CA Climate Action Portal map climate action by local government. Research the climate action – or inaction – your local government is doing to find ways to get involved. You may be able to attend public meetings for your energy providers, where you can meet other constituents and advocate for just and renewable energy. For example, San Francisco CCA Clean Power SF holds regular meetings over zoom that are welcome to the public. To go even bigger, attend public meetings by statewide regulatory agencies like the CPUC, which oversees the rates and investments of California utilities like PG&E. About the GuestTeo Grossman is Senior Director of Programs and Research for Bioneers, where he helps lead both conference development and Bioneers's year-round media production. He studied environmental science and management as a Doris Duke Conservation Fellow at UC Santa Barbara and first began working with Bioneers as a Program Manager in the early 2000s.
In this week's podcast we discuss the recently approved NEM 3.0 decision by the #CPUC and how this decision affects current and future solar customers in #California. About Jamie Duran & Solar Harmonics Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in Northern California, who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for their home, business, or farm. Here, you can check out the website for the top solar energy equipment installer, Solar Harmonics. In each episode we discuss questions facing people making the decision to go solar. The solutions to your questions are given to you – straight – by one of the leading experts in the solar industry, Jamie Duran, president of Solar Harmonics. Have a question about solar? Chances are Jamie's answered it in our searchable podcast library! About Adam Duran & Magnified Media Solarcast is produced and co-hosted by Adam Duran, director of Magnified Media. With offices in downtown San Francisco & Walnut Creek, California, Magnified Media is a digital marketing agency focused on online marketing, local and national SEO, website design and lead generation for companies of all sizes. Magnified Media helps company leaders master their marketing by: • getting their website seen at the top of Google rankings, and • getting them more online reviews, • creating media content that engages with each client's target audience. In his spare time, Adam enjoys volunteering on the board of several community-based non-profits and hosting his own weekly podcast Local SEO in 10.
December 29, 2022 — The license for the Potter Valley Project is undergoing a variety of considerations. As PG&E prepares its plan for decommissioning the inter-basin hydropower project that diverts water from the Eel River into the Russian River, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, announced that it is considering reopening the license. That means that, although it granted PG&E an annual license in April, it's thinking about adding requirements for a number of wildlife protection and habitat monitoring measures that were proposed in March by the National Marine Fisheries Service, another federal regulatory agency. PG&E argues that the decommissioning process will provide plenty of opportunity to review protective measures, and that there's no evidence of harm to embattled salmon. But FERC appears to have taken notice of legal threats by environmental groups claiming the project violates the Endangered Species Act. FERC has accepted comments for and against the proposed reopening of the license, and PG&E has pledged to submit its decommissioning documents by January of 2025. By that time, the project may technically be under new ownership. This month, PG&E asked FERC to allow it to transfer a list of hydropower projects to a new Delaware-based LLC called Pacific Generation, writing that the transfers “are part of a broader corporate reorganization being undertaken to facilitate raising equity for PG&E's utility needs.” PG&E spokesman Paul Moreno noted in an email that, “Nothing will change for Potter Valley or the decommission process. Pacific Generation LLC will be a majority-owned subsidiary of PG&E, which will own other PG&E hydropower facilities as well as natural gas power plants and some solar arrays and battery storage. It was not created just for (the) Potter Valley Project.” PG&E assured FERC that it plans to “remain the majority and controlling owner of Pacific Generation;” and that its employees “will continue to operate and maintain the assets…just as they do today.” The restructuring would have to be approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) , which in 2023 will also set the rates for the next four years. In September, PG&E requested that CPUC expedite the process, completing testimony, hearings, and filing of briefs by May first. Mark Toney, the Executive Director of The Utility Reform Network, or TURN, a ratepayer advocacy group, said TURN is “opposing the deal strenuously.” One of TURN's many worries is that if PG&E goes bankrupt again, its assets could be out of reach of settlements. TURN filed an objection to PG&E's proposal and the request for expediting the proceeding, declaring that, “this application benefits shareholders, and an expedited schedule would only serve to benefit shareholders…not avoid ratepayer harm.” TURN also asked if it was reasonable for PG&E to indemnify Pacific Generation for wildfire damages caused by PG&E's equipment, writing that “The Commission should examine whether this would result in an unreasonable transfer of risks.” Environmentalists are concerned, too. Redgie Collins is legal counsel for California Trout, one of the groups that filed a notice of intent to sue PG&E for harming endangered species. Collins is also a steering committee member of the Hydropower Reform Coalition, a statewide consortium of environmental groups dedicated to “restoring environmental and recreational values at hydropower projects presently being relicensed,” according to its website. The licenses for three of the 21 hydropower plants PG&E wants to transfer to Pacific Generation are being surrendered, while seven are up for renewal. Collins suspects that PG&E is “trying to sneak bad assets into its portfolio,” in part by overstating how viable they are. In its transfer application to FERC, PG&E wrote that Potter Valley is a 9.4-megawatt project, though it hasn't generated any power since a transformer broke down over the summer. Earlier this year, Moreno said the utility expected to recoup the unspecified costs of replacing the failed equipment within five years. But by mid-December, PG&E filed a brief update with FERC, stating that, “PG&E is currently in the process of considering long-term planning associated with Power Generation's portfolio. As a result, numerous projects are being reassessed to ensure resources are utilized prudently, including the Potter Valley transformer replacement project.” Collins also speculates that if the transfer is approved, the company could raise debt on some of its projects. The utility insists that the transfer should enable Pacific Generation to issue debt at lower rates than PG&E, but TURN worries that “the total amount of debt could very well increase as a result of this transaction.” One thing is certain: ratepayers will cover the costs of decommissioning. Mark Pocta, a program manager at the Public Advocate's Office at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), doesn't believe the transfer would make much of a difference from a regulatory perspective. PG&E would still be regulated on a cost of service basis, and he does not believe that the rates would be set any differently if the assets are held by a subsidiary. The Public Advocate's Office is an independent group within the CPUC that is charged with representing the interests of ratepayers. Its members participate in proceedings, but they do not set rates or make decisions. Pocta noted that the cost of decommissioning hydropower plants is “typically funded through rates;” but that no money has been set aside for the purpose, because when hydro projects were built, there was an assumption that they had economic value. Before the Potter Valley license expired in April of 2020, PG&E tried hard to sell it. And a regional coalition tried unsuccessfully to drum up enough money to pay for the studies that were required to take over the license. Even without the costs that could accrue if FERC orders additional environmental monitoring and mitigation measures, PG&E estimates that decommissioning the project could cost $93 million in 2020 dollars. CalTrout estimated that it could cost between $133-$155 million. Pocta said a stipulation to set aside $48 million per year for the next four years to decommission Potter Valley and Battle Creek, a hydropower project in Shasta county, will come before the CPUC at its general rate case hearings in 2023. Decommissioning hydropower projects isn't something that happens frequently, so there are no set procedures in place. But Pocta remembers when plans to decommission another set of dams first got underway: Klamath, he remembers thinking, will take longer than ten years.
California is eliminating a substantial subsidy for people who add solar panels to their homes and businesses. The new policy will reduce the amount of money that utilities are required to pay to homeowners who pump surplus electricity back into the grid. There's now concern that the decision will hurt the solar industry in California, and potentially other states that may follow California's lead. State regulators say the old policy is outdated, and the new one paves the way to the future. Hi, I'm Kathy Fettke and this is Real Estate News for Investors. If you like our podcast, please subscribe and leave us a review. The five-member California Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously in favor of the proposal. They say it will promote grid reliability and distribute the cost of maintaining the grid more equitably, while incentivizing the use of rooftop solar with battery storage. CPUC Commissioner Clifford Rechtschaffen says: “The decision strikes the right balance between many competing priorities and advances our overarching goals of ensuring California meets its climate and clean energy goals equitable.” (1) New Policy Reduces Solar Incentives There are currently 1.5 million homes, businesses, and other utility customers with rooftop solar. They will see no changes under the updated policy. CPUC officials call it the modernized version of the Net Metering Energy solar tariff or NEM. The original Net Metering rules were adopted way back in 1995. But starting next April, the new policy will go into effect and reduce the amount that utilities pay solar customers for excess electricity by as much as 75%. Commissioners say the lower rates reflect the true value of solar electricity which is produced during the day when electricity is cheaper. Electricity becomes more expensive in the evening when the sun isn't shining and people come home and turn on their appliances. They say the cost of electricity in the evening can be 20 times what it is during the day, and puts tremendous strain on the grid. Debate Over the Impact of the New Policy The debate over the change to the solar cost structure has played out for a couple of years. Solar advocates say the new policy will discourage many people from installing solar because it will be that much more expensive. Woody Hastings at “The Climate Center” says: “California needs more solar power, not less.” Executive Director of California Solar & Storage Association, Bernadette Del Chiaro, says: “For the solar industry, it will result in business closures and the loss of green jobs. For middle class and working class neighborhoods… it puts clean energy further out of reach.” (2) Energy research firm Wood Mackenzie released a report earlier this year that says the changes will lead to a 50% reduction in California's solar market by 2024. They could also impact California's transition to 100% renewable energy by 2045. (3) On the other hand, the group Affordable Clean Energy for All, which is funded by California utilities, says that the current system is outdated, and that millions of non-solar customers are paying an unfair amount for grid maintenance. Advocates for low-income families who can't afford solar also say it's time that solar customers pay their fair share for their use of the grid. State officials at the public advocate's office put a positive spin on the new policy. They say it shows that California has succeeded in its goal to expand the use of solar power. Matt Baker says: “We have outgrown the subsidies for a solar-only system and now it's time to pivot to solar plus storage.” CPUC Encourages Solar Plus Battery Storage The new policy encourages the installation of a battery to store extra power so grid energy isn't needed when the sun goes down. That could help reduce the strain on the grid during peak hours, especially during hot summer afternoons and evenings when people turn up their air conditioners. Battery storage will also allow solar customers with extra energy to pump solar power into the grid when rates are higher, increasing the value of the electricity they produce. The CPUC says there will be a big difference between peak and off-peak rates. The policy also raises the maximum size allowed for a rooftop solar system to 150% of a customer's energy use. With an oversized system, there would be more potential for excess energy production in the near term. Over the long term, a larger system will accommodate the expanded use of solar for electric vehicles and other appliances. Customers with battery storage can also earn energy credits. Low-income families and disadvantaged communities that install solar with a storage system would qualify for an even larger share of those credits. New Policy Energy Savings The CPUC says the average residential solar customer will save about $100 a month under the new rules, and about $136 a month with a battery storage system. They say the savings will make it possible to pay off a new system in just 9 years or less. The new policy is also a better deal than one the CPUC had previously introduced. That policy offered a lower amount for excess energy rates, and also imposed new monthly fees for rooftop solar customers. But the best deal is for existing customers. Like Proposition 13 did many years ago to lock in lower property tax rates for homeowners, those with solar systems in place right now, don't have anything to worry about. There will be no changes to the way they are compensated for surplus energy. That also applies to people in the process of getting their system installed by the April deadline. If that's you, check for details on submitting a net metering interconnection application to your power company, which is reportedly the way you lock in the old net metering policy. For new customers, solar power will get a little more expensive, but according to the CPUC, will still save you money. Check for links to stories about this decision in the show notes at newsforinvestors.com. You can also join RealWealth for free while you are there for access to all our real estate news and educational material on real estate investing. Please remember to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review! Thanks for listening! Links: 1 - https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/news-and-updates/all-news/cpuc-modernizes-solar-tariff-to-support-reliability-and-decarbonization 2 - https://calmatters.org/environment/2022/12/california-solar-rules-overhauled/ 3 - https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/15/california-lowers-solar-energy-incentives-for-homeowners.html
The solar roof at the California Academy of Science. | Image by WikipedianMarlith is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 On today's show: 0:08 – We follow up on the protests in Iran with Negar Mortazavi (@NegarMortazavi), a journalist, political commentator, and host of the Iran Podcast. She joins us from Washington D.C. 0:33 – Sammy Roth (@Sammy_Roth), who covers energy for the LA Times and writes their weekly Boiling Point newsletter joins us to discuss the CPUC's recent decision to sharply reduce payments to rooftop solar customers for the energy they send back to the grid. Sammy has an explainer up at the LA Times. 0:48 – Redevelopment on Treasure Island is kicking up dust in toxic dump sites. Nearby residents are worried about cesium-137 and other legacy pollutants left behind by the U.S. Navy. Garrett Leahy (@leahygarrett), a staff reporter at the San Francisco Standard joins us to discuss. Some of his interviews with Treasure Island residents were featured on 48 Hills. The post “Every funeral is met with more protests” Negar Mortazavi on the Iran protests appeared first on KPFA.
Activist demands California dole out 'at least $830,000' per person in racial reparations: 'Comply or it's going to be a serious backlash' - TheBlaze Why San Diego Still Doesn't Have a Homeless Safe Campground | Voice of San Diego SANDAG CEO: If State Lets San Diego Kill Driving Fee, It Shows Its Climate Talk Is Fake | Voice of San Diego Opinion: California rooftop solar bias is pointing us in the wrong direction (mercurynews.com) Net-metering for dummies: Explaining the rooftop solar scam – MUTH'S TRUTHS (muthstruths.com) CPUC passes new rooftop solar rules - The San Diego Union-Tribune (sandiegouniontribune.com)
One of the world's largest installers of solar + storage energy systems has a groundbreaking and industry changing proposal to build a neighborhood that runs on local energy. Their proposal is currently in front of the California Public Utility Commission, but naysayers are trying to squelch the conversation. Join host Bill Nussey as he talks with Sunnova's CEO, John Berger and CMO, Michael Grasso. They share the background on what the clean tech leader is proposing and why; how it will benefit consumers; and what critics are saying and doing to sideline the effort. Useful Links: www.sunnova.com Utility Dive Article: Major utilities oppose Sunnova's ‘micro-utility' microgrid proposal at California PUC | Utility Dive California Burning by Katherine Blunt: 9780593330654 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books
The California Solar and Stage Association's Bernadette Del Chiaro discusses the California Public Utilities Commission's pending decision on net metering and her view that granting utilities' request to ratchet back net metering compensation is a threat to the vibrant growth California has experienced recently in solar-plus-storage adoption. She describes the CPUC's pending proposal as part of a concerted, nationwide campaign to limit rooftop solar net metering, which the Edison Electric Institute described 10 years ago as an existential threat to the utility industry. The industry has employed an army of lobbyists and consultants using "bogus PR and bogus math" to convince state lawmakers to limit net-metering compensation for small consumers, she says.Support the show
In the next episode of Probably True Solar Stories, we continue the story of two neighbors who are part of the solar industry. Charlie is a large-scale utility solar developer while Mazz is a medium-scale thief who successfully "liberated" Charlie's solar panel shipment from a U.S. customs warehouse in Part 1 and Part 2. Now, in Part 3, it's a year later. Mazz has invested in a home solar company and trying to go legit. Meanwhile, Charlie's big solar project is almost complete... but there's a complication. Somebody knows about the solar panel heist. And that somebody now wants a favor that Charlie and Mazz can't refuse. True Solar TakeawaysWith the passage of the IRA (Inflation Reduction Act of 2022), all solar projects, regardless of size, receive a 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC).Solar projects that are built on landfills, brownfields, and EPA superfund sites receive an extra 10% bonus ITC. There are other ITC bonuses that could net the solar owner as much as 70%. The solar industry is filled with acronyms and jargon. AHJ (Authorities Having Jurisdiction) are the permitting authorities that review and approve the building of solar projectsPTO (Permission to Operate) is the official utility permission to start generating solar power on the utility's grid. PUC (or in California, the CPUC) stands for Public Utility Commission. The PUC regulates utilities and approves or modifies utility rates and sets policies for a state's public utilities.20% efficient solar panels are considered high efficiency and cost more. Efficiency means that solar panel converts 20% of the sunlight that hits it into electricity. That means that 80% of the power gets reflected. So, the higher the efficiency, the more solar you'll generate with fewer panels. High-efficiency panels are more expensive than panels in the 17% range, but they produce more energy on small rooftops and reduce the number of panels needed.Single Axis Trackers (SATs) are used in most large solar projects today. Like high-efficiency panels, they're more expensive than fixed-tilt racks. But because they automatically track the sun throughout the day, they generate more power.Solar project owners are paid by utilities for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) generated by the solar farm. So their goal is to keep projects online and pumping out as much solar in a day for 30 years or longer. There are maintenance costs, but if a project is well maintained, it's a very steady revenue stream. That's why they often use trackers with high-efficiency solar panels. So, even a tiny boost of 2% efficiency can generate more power--and more profits over a 30-year contract. Solar project owners don't always own the land. Landowners often lease their Visit ProbablyTrueSolar.com to sign up for the newsletter to learn about new episodes and live solar storytelling events. Support the show by visiting the merch store and buying a tee shirt! Learn how sponsors can be a part of Probably True Solar Stories and tell their own creative stories. Follow @SolarFred and/or @ProbTrueSolar on Twitter to discuss episodes Don't forget to: Subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast streaming service Rate Review, and Share!
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