Energy

Environment

Diablo Canyon: Nuke plant a step closer to staying open longer

Lawmakers overwhelmingly supported extending the nuclear power plant’s life for five more years, and the governor swiftly signed it into law. Supporters say it’s critical to keep the electricity on.

By Nadia Lopez • September 1, 2022

WhatMatters

The Diablo is in the details

At least two days of statewide Flex Alerts asking Californians to voluntarily conserve energy amid an extreme heat wave that could last more than a week, pushing temperatures 10 to 20 degrees above normal and endangering vulnerable communities. Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaiming a state of emergency to take last-ditch measures to keep people’s lights and […]

By Emily Hoeven • September 1, 2022

WhatMatters

Decision day for hot-button bills

California’s legislative session ends tonight at midnight, but the intense lobbying surrounding some of the most high-profile and controversial bills is far from over. That’s because Gov. Gavin Newsom has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto the hundreds of bills sent to him by the state Legislature, and you better believe interest groups are […]

By Emily Hoeven • August 31, 2022

WhatMatters

T-minus 3 days for California lawmakers

It all comes down to this. The two-year legislative session ends Wednesday at midnight, giving Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers just three days to hammer out agreements on complex, controversial bills and budget items encompassing everything from nuclear power to abortion to youth vaccination. According to veteran Sacramento lobbyist Chris Micheli, legislators still need […]

By Emily Hoeven • August 29, 2022

WhatMatters

In California, the calm before the legislative storm

Hurry up, and wait / So close, but so far away. The opening lines from Jordin Sparks’ motivational song “One Step At A Time” also describe the buildup heading into the final stretch of the legislative session, which ends one week from today: Although state lawmakers are holding daily floor votes as they work their […]

By Emily Hoeven • August 24, 2022

Environment

Wrangling over renewables: Counties push back on Newsom administration usurping local control

The state can expedite approval of renewable energy projects but rural counties say they already do their part with solar and wind farms. “We’re in the crosshairs, but we don’t think we are the right target here,” one rural advocate says.

By Julie Cart • August 4, 2022

Environment

Can Californians afford electric cars? Wait lists for rebates are long and some programs have shut down 

State funding is insufficient so lower-income residents have trouble getting their subsidies. The problems jeopardize California’s climate and air pollution goals as electric car prices keep rising.

By Nadia Lopez • August 2, 2022

Commentary

Amping up state’s offshore wind power goals would brighten state’s energy outlook

The future of California’s energy supply and our ability to wean ourselves off fossil fuel-generated power could very well hinge on the California Energy Commission’s goal for how much offshore wind energy our state can produce.

By Guest Commentary • August 1, 2022

Commentary

The Diablo Canyon Power Plant won’t stop power outages

Nuclear power peddlers are blaming the state’s shift to renewable energy for power outages to justify keeping the Diablo Canyon Power Plant open. This is a false narrative.

By Guest Commentary • July 1, 2022

WhatMatters

Lawmakers OK budget, despite ‘crappy’ parts

Rebates ranging from $200 to $1,050 are one step closer to landing in millions of Californians’ pockets after state lawmakers in marathon Wednesday night floor sessions passed a record-breaking $300 billion budget plan for the fiscal year beginning Friday. Though heated and hours-long, the sessions were in many ways perfunctory: The supermajority-Democratic Legislature was all […]

By Emily Hoeven • June 30, 2022