Energy

Environment

California’s renewable energy targets slashed carbon pollution — now there’s a proposal to pause them

It’s not about cap and trade.  A non-partisan report says California's renewable energy mandate is the star of the state's greenhouse gas goals, just as some propose to stop it.

By Rachel Becker • January 8, 2020

WhatMatters

Adam Schiff’s history with impeachment, as the Trump inquiry takes center stage

Schiff is no stranger to impeachment inquiries. Health concerns mount for firefighters. Mixed signals emerge from SCOTUS DACA hearing.

By Dan Morain and Rachel Becker • November 13, 2019

WhatMatters

PG&E has a come-to-Newsom moment + how schools spend their bills + a mental health care initiative, perhaps

Newsom meets with PG&E chief to discuss utility's future. Audit finds problems in school funding. Certain groups miss out on food stamps.

By Dan Morain • November 6, 2019

WhatMatters

Newsom vows to step in if PG&E cannot restructure itself, as Trump trolls California over fires

Newsom summons PG&E leaders to Sacramento. New energy 'czar' is a familiar face. Lobbyists increase spending to shape policy in Sacramento.

By Dan Morain • November 4, 2019

WhatMatters

Gavin Newsom’s slow start on housing, cannabis’ carbon footprint, and San Francisco tries to impart its values on Nevada

Newsom's plans for housing construction off to slow start. Air Resources chief points out math error by feds. S.F. blacklists Nevada over abortion.

By Dan Morain • October 21, 2019

WhatMatters

Synagogue shooting suspect slipped through cracks, a push to lower voting age, and California sues Trump. Again

How alleged synagogue shooter slipped through a crack. Assemblyman wants to lower voting age. California sues Trump again.

By Dan Morain and Barbara Harvey • August 14, 2019

Climate Change

No longer the loneliest? Why Oregon’s all-in climate push matters to California

After efforts to unite the West under a carbon-trading program stalled for nearly a decade, Oregon will decide this month whether it wants to follow in California’s footsteps. This bill would make Oregon the second state after California to rely on the market for emissions reductions throughout the entire economy. Supporters say that expanding the cap-and-trade market to Oregon could increase competition, lower compliance costs, and speed decarbonization of the West. But others worry a failure in Oregon could hurt carbon trading's chances in other states.

By Rachel Becker • June 6, 2019

Commentary

Storage is essential for California to achieve 100% green energy without blackouts

California can’t keep the lights on if we don’t have enough power available to meet demand at peak times, like in the evening when folks get home from work. The state has nowhere near enough storage to handle the thousands of megawatts of new renewable energy that will be coming down the pike.

By Guest Commentary • May 12, 2019

Newsletters

Stephon Clark fallout, childhood trauma, charter schools

Yet another official probe into the Stephon Clark shooting. California's new surgeon general warns of a powerful toxin. Incoming charter school reforms.

By Dan Morain • March 6, 2019

California Wildfires

My turn: Sell PG&E for parts and build community energy instead

By Catherine Brinkley Catherine Brinkley is an assistant professor of human ecology at University of California, Davis, who has written extensively on community energy infrastructures, ckbrinkley@ucdavis.edu. She wrote this commentary for CALmatters. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. is filing for bankruptcy. Again. When PG&E filed in 2001, it was the third largest bankruptcy filing in […]

By Guest Commentary • January 16, 2019