Energy

California seeks solutions to higher energy costs

Amid a shifting landscape of growing consumer choices and increasingly exacting emissions regulations, state utilities and regulators have pressed ahead with a variety of initiatives designed to prevent energy shortages, consumer rebellions or a perfect storm of the two. Losing

Proposed bill would mandate 100 percent renewable energy in California

James Poulos March 10, 2017

Joining a would-be trend that includes lawmakers in deep blue Massachusetts, Senate majority leader Kevin de León, D-Los Angeles, has unveiled a new proposal that could become California Democrats’ answer to the limits of cap-and-trade. “The California Senate leader has introduced legislation that

Extra electricity, but no price relief

James Poulos February 14, 2017

Fueled by a dated system that does not always respond to market incentives or pressure, costs and surpluses of energy have both grown in California, raising pointed questions about what residents should expect from rates and regulations alike. “California has a

Is lack of competition leading to costly electricity glut?

Steven Greenhut February 7, 2017

SACRAMENTO – A top California utility official once quipped that he was one of the few executives in the country who earned a profit merely by remodeling his office. He was referring to the way the state’s regulated utility system

Cap-and-trade deal reached, heads to Gov. Brown for approval

Matt Fleming August 31, 2016

Gov. Jerry Brown and legislators reached an agreement on Wednesday on what to do with around a billion dollars of cap-and-trade revenue. The deal was announced earlier in the day and was approved by dinner after a longstanding battle between legislative

Affordable housing deal appears dead for the year

Matt Fleming August 19, 2016

A deal to spur the construction of low-income housing statewide has apparently fallen apart, according to multiple media reports. Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Paramount, said talks have died for the year, largely because of Gov. Jerry Brown’s insistence to include provisions that would

Survey: Californians support state’s environmental laws, could do more

Hannah Niemeier July 27, 2016

Californians think the state could do more and spend more to clean up the environment, according to a new poll. According to a Public Policy Institute of California poll released Wednesday, a majority of Californians support government efforts to improve the

Last CA nuke plant to close

James Poulos June 27, 2016

California regulators have made preparations to close Diablo Canyon, the state’s last remaining nuclear power plant, in a move quickly characterized as a turning point in the nation’s approach to energy production and use. “Pacific Gas and Electric Co. announced

AG Harris drawing fire over alleged San Onofre conflict of interest

Chris Reed April 20, 2016

Attorney General Kamala Harris threatens to be drawn into the controversy over the California Public Utilities Commission’s divvying up of the cost of closing the San Onofre nuclear power plant on San Diego County’s north coast. Activists are furious with

CalWatchdog Morning Read — April 7, 2016

CalWatchdog Staff April 7, 2016

Good morning! We just got back from Klamath, where Gov. Jerry Brown signed an agreement to remove four dams along the Klamath River. Brown said the removal was about “correcting mistakes,” a nod to the indigenous people who inhabit the