Energy

An overhead view shows three people standing and talking on a patterned tile floor inside an ornate building. Decorative light fixtures with glowing bulbs hang between wooden railings, casting warm light over the geometric floor tiles as the group gathers near the edge of a balcony.

정치

What did California lawmakers talk about this year? These 10 bills sparked hours of debate

California lawmakers only spent just a few minutes discussing in public the hundreds of bills they introduce. But these 10 measures had hours of intense debate in 2025.

에 의해

라이언 사발로우

• 12월 29, 2025

Yellow and red cables are plugged into large black shelfs of computer machinery as a person works in the background.

환경

Big Tech blocks California data center rules, leaving only a study requirement

A new law orders regulators to study the cost impacts of fast-growing, energy-hungry AI data centers. Lawmakers are expected to revisit tougher rules as utilities, advocates and tech groups battle over who pays for the grid upgrades.

에 의해

알레한드로 라조

• 12월 29, 2025

Two electrical towers are seen on top of a small brown mountain with wires running through them on other side.

Reader Reactions

Small-scale bioenergy is critical for wildfire prevention, climate resilience, and emissions reduction

Ending BioMAT in 2025 would undermine investments in bioenergy and leave communities without safe biomass disposal options.

By Gary Bradford • 12월 22, 2025

The sun sets behind rows of high tension power lines on a warm evening in Los Angeles.

Reader Reactions

California is drowning in hazardous forest waste with nowhere to put it

Biomass energy is not about cutting healthy forests or replacing solar and wind. California faces a dangerous accumulation of forest fuels with limited safe disposal options.

By Matt Dias • 12월 22, 2025

A view of a wooden pole with power lines on a clear blue sky. A lit up lamp outside a home can be seen in the foreground.

논평

Biomass is a money pit that won’t solve California’s energy or wildfire problems

Utilities customers help pay for biomass because electric utilities buy its products to produce electricity, paying four times more. Is it worth it?

By Shaye Wolf • 12월 16, 2025

PG&E's Diablo Canyon Power Plant's nuclear reactors in Avila Beach in 2008. Photo by Michael A. Mariant, AP Photo

정치

California’s last nuclear power plant faces renewed scrutiny as it gains latest permit

A state regulator is requiring California’s last nuclear power plant to conserve 4,000 acres of surrounding land to keep operating until 2030.

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Nadia Lathan

• 12월 11, 2025

A close-up view of teal and yellow electrical wries connect to a stack of servers.

환경

Data centers for AI could nearly triple San Jose’s energy use. Who foots the bill?

Artificial intelligence and its growing demand for data centers are putting new pressure on California’s electric grid. In San Jose, supporters see jobs and investment, while a key ratepayer advocate worries customers could end up paying for upgrades.

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알레한드로 라조

• 12월 8, 2025

A view of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant complex, showing two large concrete domes and several industrial buildings. The scene includes solar panels, parked vehicles, and surrounding infrastructure, with parts of the image framed by a dark interior, possibly from inside a vehicle. The sky is overcast and slightly foggy.

논평

Wind, water and solar energy aren’t enough. California needs nuclear options

If California ditches fossil fuels for greener energy, we can still expect weekly rolling blackouts. But nuclear power is unaffected by weather.

By Leonard Rodberg • 12월 4, 2025

Solar panels mounted on the roof of a house surrounded by trees, with soft sunlight filtering through the branches. The house has a shingle roof, brick exterior, and white window shutters, partially visible through the foliage.

논평

Gavin Newsom could have made electricity more affordable and climate-friendly. Here’s how

Gov. Newsom vetoed bills on virtual power plants, which deliver energy to the grid from such home devices as smart thermostats, solar panels, electric vehicle batteries and heat pumps.

By Ellie Cohen • 11월 25, 2025

환경

Data centers are putting new strain on California’s grid. A new report estimates the impacts

A new report estimates that California’s data centers are driving increases in electricity use, water demand and pollution even as lawmakers stall on oversight.

에 의해

알레한드로 라조

• 11월 14, 2025