Economy
PG&E collects a fee to support California’s last nuclear plant. Is it a slush fund?
California regulators are expected to take a last, controversial step to keep the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant operating.
Energy
Environment
Grants for LA clean trucks frozen in Trump effort to defund green energy
The $250 million, which would fund about 500 electric trucks serving the ports of LA and Long Beach, remains frozen as a legal dispute plays out between the EPA, a bank and a green energy group.
Commentary
Over a century later, California may need another revolt against its utility companies
More than a century after California voters created the Public Utilities Commission to keep powerful companies in check, the commission has lost its way, and Californians are fed up.
Commentary
Keeping California’s lights on will require a major electricity market, partnerships across the West
Senate Bill 540 will help California reach its challenging but achievable goals of clean, reliable and affordable electricity by moving toward an expanded energy market across the West.
Commentary
California’s carbon crusade faces resistance due to its real world impact
In concept, the public supports battery-powered cars, windmills, and solar farms to shrink California's carbon footprint. But some also see a downside to these climate change solutions.
Environment
Massive Salton Sea lithium project gets judge’s go-ahead, ending advocates’ lawsuit
Social and environmental groups sued last year saying the $1.8 billion Hell's Kitchen project could cause water and air problems not disclosed in its environmental impact report. A judge disagreed.
Environment
Trump’s order won’t halt California’s offshore wind leases. But will it derail the industry?
The president’s order has no immediate effect on offshore wind leases already authorized, including two large areas off California’s coast. But it sends a current of uncertainty through the fledgling renewable energy industry, which relies on federal and state support.
Commentary
If California actually wants to lead on AI, it can’t let 3 companies hog the infrastructure
In California's high-profile bill to regulate artificial intelligence last year, many people overlooked a policy dubbed "CalCompute," which would have made the essential infrastructure for developing AI more publicly accessible. Lawmakers can't let this idea fade with a governor's veto.
Environment
California lawmakers want to cut red tape to ramp up clean energy but rural communities push back
Some rural California communities are resisting efforts to streamline permitting for wind and solar farms and battery storage for environmental or safety reasons.
Climate Change
First California project to bury climate-warming gases wins key approval
Capturing and storing carbon underground is a big part of California’s efforts to tackle climate change but community members and environmentalists say it prolongs the life of fossil fuels.