Podcasts about cpuc

Fifteen years ago, Scott Engstrom thought utilities were boring, bureaucratic organizations where people went for job security. But after co-founding GridX in 2010 during the smart meter era, he discovered an industry full of dedicated people tackling complex challenges.GridX went the next five years without a paying customer. Then, in 2015, California mandated time-of-use rates, and the start-up found its footing. Today, Scott helps utilities nationwide design and implement sophisticated rates for a variety of programs, from electric vehicle charging to demand response programs and virtual power plants. Because as load growth from AI data centers and industrial customers strains the grid, sophisticated rate design has become more critical than ever.This week on With Great Power, Scott outlines how rate design helps utilities manage unprecedented load growth from data centers and why "growth pays for growth" protects existing customers from new infrastructure costs.TRANSCRIPT:Brad Langley: 15 years ago, Scott Engstrom had an underwhelming impression of the utility industry.Scott Engstrom: My perception was similar to the general perception of what utilities and the people who work there were like, which was these are maybe not your most motivated crew, like a semi-government job. So you go there for job security and maybe not the most adventurous or smart or energetic or hard charging.Brad Langley: But despite his perception, he still wanted to get in on some of the new action really shaking up things in the power sector.Scott Engstrom: It started in the mid to late nineties. There was a time when the U.S. utility industry was going through deregulation. Almost all 50 states were considering some of this idea of deregulating their utility and allowing for competition for the supply of energy. And it was a really interesting time because this industry that hadn't changed for 90 or a hundred years was now looking at a wholesale financial business model change.Brad Langley: Over the next decade, as Scott dove into the world of utility investing and stock trading, he learned his original perception of the industry was way off.Scott Engstrom: These people worked really hard, and they really cared both about the company – they're very loyal to the companies they worked with – and actually really cared about customers and treating customers well. And so for the most part, all of those stereotypes that I was led to believe turned out to be wrong.Brad Langley: By the late 2000s, a new wave of disruption was taking over the power sector. Smart meters had hit the scene and that gave Scott, who is now deeply entrenched and inspired by this industry, an idea.Scott Engstrom: We really built a set of software that was meant to support what it meant to install smart meters at a utility. And what changes that meant for lots of things in the organization, but particularly for us, was around the fact that smart meters were going to enable a new set of or new type of rates and programs that utilities could offer their customers. And we were going to conquer the world with our new software.Brad Langley: Unfortunately, Scott and his fellow co-founder Jian Zhang were a little bit ahead of their time. And their new company called GridX – yes, the same GridX where I currently work – went five years before finding a paying utility customer.Scott Engstrom: So we spent those five years really going to all those utilities that did invest in smart meters and showing them what we could do with our product, which was essentially a really agile, complex rate engine that could support all the new rates of the future. And they all sort of gave us very nice pats on the shoulders and said, ‘Well, we're really proud of you. Good job. Someday we're going to need this software, but it's just not today.'Brad Langley: But that all changed on July 3rd, 2015 when the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a monumental decision for Scott and his scrappy startup.Scott Engstrom: The California Public Utility Commission had an open docket focused on what they called regulatory rate reform and, in particular, time of use rates and even more specifically about making time of use rates as the default rate for residential customers in California. We had been investing in our software to support that. And so once the commission gavel went down and the order came out and they actually approved this, we were obviously really excited at GridX, not just because of what it might mean for our business, but because we really believed that these rates and new programs will have real impacts for climate change and the clean energy transition.Brad Langley: And ever since then, as rate design has continued to evolve over the past decade, Scott and his team have been working with utilities to deliver different kinds of rates to customers and educate those customers on how the rates actually work. This is With Great Power, a show about the people building the future grid, today. I'm Brad Langley. Some people say utilities are slow to change, that they don't innovate fast enough. And while it might not always seem like the most cutting edge industry, there are lots of really smart people working really hard to make the grid cleaner, more reliable, and customer centric. This week I'm talking to Scott Engstrom, co-founder and chief customer officer at GridX.Scott Engstrom: We believe that end customers have to know more about the cost of energy and that how they use energy impacts utility's ability to change the energy they supply to their customers. And so our mission is to help our clients like utilities and their customers understand the exact value of their clean energy choices.Brad Langley: Today, Scott works with utilities all across the country to implement rates for various programs from electric vehicle charging to the more classic time of use rates mandated by the CPUC now over 20 years ago. And as the economy has grown to be more reliant on electricity, so has the complexity of rate and program design. So I asked Scott about how some of these new electricity users are impacting rates. But first I asked him how he actually ended up securing his first paying customer after CPUC's 2015 mandate. So it obviously had an impact on the California IOUs like PG&E, Southern California Edison, SDG&E. How did you start to approach utilities like that knowing that PG&E is a customer of ours? What was that process to approach PG&E and start helping them comply with this new requirement?Scott Engstrom: Utilities in general have been always a little bit shy about working with startups and new companies. They always feel better when you have another customer. So even in this case where there were requirements from the public utility commission to do rate education and outreach and marketing about how these rates would affect customers and their bills and how they might be able to do better on those rates, there was obviously still some, maybe not obviously, but there still was some reticence about working with a startup like ours. We had been engaged with those utilities. This didn't come completely out of the blue. We had been planting seeds with the utilities that these were capabilities we had. Of course, they wanted to wait to see the final order and to see what the commission was going to require them to do. And once that happened it became clear that the utilities were going to have to send regular bill inserts or letters to customers – I think it was on a quarterly basis or it might've been twice a year – letting them know what time of use rates meant for them.That's no trivial exercise. I doubt many people have thought about this, but say both PG&E and Southern California Edison have around five million residential customers to do this kind of analysis. For five million customers, you've got to calculate 12 bills for each of those customers. That represents one year's worth of data on the current rates that the utility offers. And then you have to do that on the alternate rates, the time of use rates that the utilities were considering. So if there were two or three options they were considering that could be 180 or 240 million bills. So this is way beyond a spreadsheet exercise and something we had been investing in to really differentiate ourselves as the solution provider that could help both PG&E and Edison and the other utilities in California.Brad Langley: So supporting rate education was part of GridX's original product offering, but the company has expanded significantly since then. Spend a minute or two walking us through how GridX's offerings have evolved.Scott Engstrom: We thought initially GridX was going to be a great solution for billing and for back office, and that was a little hard sell. As a very small company handling millions or billions of dollars of revenue for the utilities, that was a hard pill for them to swallow. But then when this idea of rate comparisons came up, the stakes were not quite as high. If you get a rate comparison wrong, it doesn't affect the utilities financially. It may affect their reputation to a certain extent, but also in analysis, you do have a little bit of room to be not penny level accurate. If you're off by a couple of pennies, you can live with that. But we started thinking that there's a lot of systems out there that manage the meter to cash business process for utilities that probably most of your listeners are familiar with, which is really solved by a system called a customer information system and meter data management systems that help the utility really bill customers and care for them.And that's a really important business process. But the emergence of things like time of use rates and the problems they were trying to solve, we saw the emergence and the opportunity really to help utilities with a different cycle, which we call the utility product or rate lifecycle. Kind of taking a different approach to utilities and having them think of themselves more like consumer product companies – that they have their rates, and their programs should be thought of more like consumer products. Think companies. Think of their products and services that they sell. And so in the utility industry, we did really want to get the utilities to change their mindset and think about themselves as more of a product company because more products and services were going to be needed to meet the kind of decarbonization and electrification goals that they were trying to achieve. And they were going to have to figure out which products and services their customers responded to.How do they create the kind of demand flexibility they need and how do they become good? This is a muscle that the utilities didn't typically need to have before the clean energy transition. They just didn't need this. So we really started thinking about what is the utility product lifecycle? And that includes everything from designing new rates and creating the data and testimony that utilities need to bring it to their regulators and validate why those rates or products are needed or how they will impact customers or the utilities' revenue and provide the utilities with tools to create different structures and ideate on the way programs might be able to work and have them have a real data and analytics based approach to understanding those. And that lifecycle continues then from once the rate's approved to now someone is a traditional product manager. More and more we're seeing with rate design that the rates are meant to potentially change customer's behavior. We have a set of solutions that help those product and program owners be successful at driving enrollment and participation in the rate and ultimately success. And then of course, the last piece of that lifecycle then is operationalizing that rate, making it available to your customers. And that's where we've come back to our roots a little bit. And some of our utilities actually get these operationalized and make them available for billing for customers.Brad Langley: What other trends are you seeing now that makes this revolutionary idea of a rate and program lifecycle so necessary?Scott Engstrom: Yeah, for a long time when we met with customers, we would show them a graph of the duck curve here in California and talk about how that certainly has happened in California, may happen in their state as well, at least directionally. And then on top of that, we were seeing, we continue to see lots of investment in renewable energy, which is much more intermittent replacing fossil fuel coal plants. And so we were painting a picture about how those two trends were going to create mismatches in supply and demand and the way that they could solve for that was through rates and programs that created price signals for things like battery storage and electric vehicle charging and things like that to help manage those times of day when you had excess supply or excess demand. And I think that's really true, but certainly have to recognize the politics of the day.And the current administration is I think providing some headwinds to the decarbonization movement. What we do see not as a replacement, but in addition to that is this large load growth being a real force for utilities, having to again look at rate design and think about rate design for a few reasons. One of them is the demands from customers are exceeding the supply and the capacity that the utilities have. So they're scrambling. We work with a lot of our utilities, we work closely with the key account managers who manage the largest customers and are dealing with the large load growth as well. And they are looking across their system to find capacity for this load growth. It's not all AI data centers. Those are the really big chunky ones, but there's a lot of other large industrial customers that are just growing their businesses and need more power from their utilities. And so we talk to them about the ability to use demand side resources, which is calling on your customers to respond to price signals and rates and programs and use less energy at times where the economics make sense for them through the rate and program. And so we are seeing a real need from the large load growth to reconsider rate structures and innovative new programs to support that. Not to mention the tariffs for the large data centers themselves.Brad Langley: When a utility gets a request for a massive data center, or in some cases maybe two or three, what are the key rate design considerations they should be thinking through?Scott Engstrom: In the case of large data centers, the amount of infrastructure investment required to support those can be really high. And the way utility rates work is that oftentimes that investment is spread across all customers. So in this case, it's more of almost tariff design than rate design in the way that we talk about it colloquially. And those tariffs are really important to get the risks and rewards between the customer classes at a utility. I think there's been a common phrase that I've heard a lot at conferences: growth pays for growth, which means if I'm a large new customer and the utility is going to have to buy a new substation and build new transmission for me and a lot of investment in infrastructure just to hook up my data center, and that's going to cost whatever, 10 million, a hundred million dollars, that customer's on the hook for that amount.And then we've seen the other structure where the utilities have more of a take or pay type of arrangement. So the big worry is they're a customer crying wolf. They say, I need you to set up all this infrastructure for me because I'm going to set up a data center. So if the utility goes and spends that money and gets it all set up, but the data center never comes, who's on the hook for paying for that? And so we've seen in the tariff design and the dockets that we've seen around the country that the customer again is on the hook for a minimum payment on an annual basis or something that really covers that cost of infrastructure to set up. And then if they actually use the energy associated with that, great, but they certainly can't harm other customers. And I think that's a consistent theme we see is how do we create these tariffs and rate structures in a way that the system can benefit from bringing in the new load and the new customers, but the customers who otherwise shouldn't be subject to any punishment for a customer that never shows up are protected in that rate structure.Brad Langley: I gather you take this as a real concern. This has to be a focus of utilities and the large data center operators to ensure that customers that aren't using that energy aren't disadvantaged. And are utilities recognizing this and do they see that as a real concern?Scott Engstrom: Definitely. I think that we want the U.S. to be a leader in AI, so we want to create an attractive business environment for the data centers to get set up. We want them to do it quickly. There's a real challenge with supply chain and just getting the infrastructure in place to get the generation, the supply of energy in place to support them, even if you could agree on what the tariff structure is just getting all the facilities in place. And so there's this sort of, I think, interest in what's best for the country and how we want to grow that industry and support it. And it's really exciting to be in an industry like utilities, which is one of those often taken for granted industries to now see it in the center of something so important and in the public eye. And so that's really exciting.I think for our industry it's both a real great opportunity as well as potentially really big risk if this turns out as some are worried about that the demand will never materialize or it's being way overstated and we put in a lot of infrastructure and cost to support this demand and it never shows up. So I think those are really important factors that the industry is grappling with. And I'm really excited about where this goes. Of course, I would love the U.S. to remain at the forefront and for our utilities to grow and prosper by supporting the AI growth.Brad Langley: Spend a little time talking about demand flexibility more generally. Demand flex is becoming critical with supply chain constraints limiting new generation. How can rates and programs help flatten load shapes and manage peak demand more effectively?Scott Engstrom: Certainly what we've seen really consistently at a probably smaller scale are the time of use rates at utilities we've worked with, really in some cases create pretty sensational results. One of the best results we have is one of our customers in Southern California calculated that during one of the heat storms here in California in 2022 on one of the peak days, customers responding to that price signal in the time of use rates to reduce load by 75 megawatts, which at the time was equivalent to about their third largest demand response program. And you probably know, Brad, demand response programs can be pretty clunky, expensive to administer. Time of use rates can be a much more simple, elegant solution to that. So in any case, I think that demand flexibility, as I mentioned before, that as our industry has changed, as more and more customers have put distributed energy resources behind the meter, it just creates a lot more variability on the system.I think sometimes this gets framed as an inconvenience to customers, and I might put it opposite. I might say that this gives an opportunity for customers to manage their bills. There are a lot of customers who have flexibility in the way they use energy, and if the utility was to offer me an incentive to use less electricity at a time when I didn't need to, if I was a business or a residential customer with an electric vehicle, I'd be happy to take advantage of that opportunity and reduce my utility bill. So it's often positioned as an imposition on customers, but actually demand flexibility and programs and rates that are structured in the right way can deliver a lot of benefits both to the customer and to the utility and the grid. So one other example that we hear a lot of these days that certainly the FERC and others have been a lot of papers released about what VPPs or virtual power plants can do to demand or the peak periods help create demand flexibility.And that's definitely true. We see those companies that are out there that are aggregating loads through things like thermostats and electric vehicles and batteries and other resources have a real potential to do that. And we're really excited about that. And in fact, in particular at GridX, I think we're doing a couple things to really accelerate how VPPs can be successful. One is you have to get those devices out there, so you have to have customers with the thermostats, with solar on their roof, with batteries in their houses. And certainly there are early adopters who are very interested and know well the benefits of these, but for a lot of customers, they're just sort of curious, interested. And we have invested heavily in helping them understand the economics of these behind the meter resources so that utilities with incentives and rebates and really have a great value for their customers just in owning them on their own, not to mention participating in a virtual power plant program.So that's a product we call GridX Explorer, and we think it's really important to help customers as they look at more and more of these options and they become more and more economical. And then of course, you have to have the right tariff, the right rate, essentially for customers to be on who then are willing to give over control of those devices to a third party who in that control can be flexible. So helping the utilities design the right rate that create the incentives for customers to recognize the savings they're expecting and the economics they're expecting from acquiring those behind the meter resources.Brad Langley: Scott, we've worked together now for about three and a half years, very happily for me at least. I know you're a fan of the show. So this question should be on your radar here. What superpower do you bring into the energy transition?Scott Engstrom: Well, if I say humility, I think that's too much of a contradiction, right? I like to think of myself as humble and not taking myself too seriously, but I think the superpower that I really truly like to think I have, I hope I have, is the ability to see both the big picture and in detail, particularly at least when it comes to the issues that GridX is focused on. I think my background we talked about in finance and thinking about things at a very high level across lots of utilities, across lots of states, helps me see the big picture in that role. I was talking to CEOs and CFOs, so having a perspective into what's important to the C-Suite helps me think about how GridX should be helpful for those big pictures and solve big strategic problems for utilities. But then having been at a small company for so long where you had to do everything, including working with the customers on implementation, it helped me really understand the details of how do you make this all happen? What has to happen at the detail level, at the individual customer level with the systems, with the integration? So being able to bridge that high level strategic thinking with low level understanding of details, I think provides me with some superpower.Brad Langley: Agreed. Well, Scott, thank you so much for coming on the show. I loved our conversation.Scott Engstrom: Thanks, Brad. Thanks for having me on With Great Power, my favorite podcast of all.Brad Langley: Scott Engstrom is the co-founder and chief customer officer at GridX. With Great Power is produced by GridX in partnership with Latitude Studios. Delivering on the clean energy future is complex. GridX exists to simplify the journey. GridX is the enterprise rate platform that modern utilities rely on to usher in our clean energy future. We design and implement emerging rate structures and we increase consumer investment in clean energy all while managing the complex billing needs of a distributed grid. Erin Hardick is our producer. Anne Bailey is our senior editor. Stephen Lacey is our executive editor, Sean Marquand composed the original theme song and mixed the show. The GridX production team includes Jenni Barber, Samantha McCabe, and me, Brad Langley. If this show is providing value for you and we really hope it is, we'd love it if you could help us spread the word. You can rate or review us at Apple and Spotify, or you can share a link with a friend, colleague, or the energy nerd in your life. As always, thanks so much for listening. I'm Brad Langley.

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/

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1091: Today we're covering how dealers are adapting to the end of EV tax credits, Tesla's push to bring robotaxis to the Bay Area, and the TSA's surprising move to let travelers keep their shoes on.Show Notes with links:With the federal EV tax credits ending September 30, dealers are shifting strategies to keep momentum in a market suddenly missing key incentives.Liza Borches of Carter Myers Automotive says, “We're planning marketing campaigns to help [customers] take advantage while they still can.”Joe Jackson, GSM at Bowman Chevrolet in Clarkston, Mich., said they are learning into leasing, “EVs are a lease-heavy vehicle; I expect the leasing to weather this a little bit better than the purchases,”EV Auto's Alex Lawrence thinks that “adoption [will] increase, but it's going to be a lumpy line.”Liza and CMA are confident about the future,, saying “We're committed to educating customers about all the other benefits. Our job is to be proactive, transparent and ready to help customers navigate this shift.”Tesla is aiming to bring its experimental robotaxi service to the San Francisco Bay Area within the next two months—pending regulatory approval.Elon Musk confirmed expansion plans on X, following a limited pilot in Austin, Texas.The Austin test fleet, with safety monitors onboard, is set to grow its service area this weekend, with an ultimate goal of 1,000 Robotaxis in several months.Tesla faces tight regulation in California, unlike the light-touch environment in Texas.Approval from the California DMV and CPUC is still needed to charge passengers for rides, although initial approvals were given in MarchA major travel headache is officially over: U.S. travelers no longer need to remove their shoes at airport security, thanks to new TSA technology and a successful pilot program.The change is effective immediately nationwide, per Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.Passengers ages 12 to 75 were previously required to remove shoes—a post-9/11 rule spurred by the 2001 “shoe bomber,” but a pilot program showed TSA's equipment could maintain safety standards without requiring shoe removal.“Most Americans will be very excited... it will be a much more streamlined process,” said Noem.TSA PreCheck still offers added perks like skipping laptop and toiletry removal.TSA is exploring more changes, including special lanes for families and service members, to simplify screenings further.0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier0:45 Paul saw Halloween decor at Costco yesterday2:08 Announcements2:50 Dealers React To The End of the EV Tax Credit6:42 A look at Paul and Kyle's bookshelf7:30 Tesla Eyeing Robotaxi In San Fran9:43 TSA No Longer Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/

In this week's podcast we discuss the CPUC's claim that solar has been so successful in CA that solar over production is wasted and the utilities are stuck paying retail rates on that wasted energy.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 a ⁠⁠⁠digital 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.

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

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

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.

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

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!