California is considering a policy to drive sales of electric trucks like it has done for sales of electric cars.
Tesla semi truck. Photo: Korbitr/Wikimedia Commons
How Can We Get More Electric Trucks on the Road?
Jimmy O'Dea, senior vehicles analyst
April 23, 2019 9:35 AM EDT
Photo: NASA
California’s Wildfire Costs are Just the Tip of the Iceberg
Mark Specht, Energy analyst
April 16, 2019 1:25 PM EDT
As California’s electric utilities grapple with the aftermath of record-breaking wildfires, the potential impact on customer bills is starting to come into focus. While it is still unclear who will end up paying for wildfire damages, one thing is clear: extreme wildfires are here to stay, and they will likely keep getting worse. With climate change increasing not only the risk of wildfires, but also threatening many other economic and human health impacts, the costs of preventing extreme climate change pale in comparison to the costs of inaction. Read more >
Photo: Patrick Dirden/Flickr
Why Wet Weather in California Now Doesn’t Equal Lots of Water for Californians Later
Geeta Persad, Senior Climate Scientist
February 27, 2019 10:39 AM EDT
California has been blessed with a wet winter this year. At the time of publishing, most of the state is at or well above the historical average precipitation to date for this time of year and Sierra Nevada snowpack is at more than 140% of historical average. That’s been good news for the California plants, animals, and humans that rely on water to survive and recreate. But lots of precipitation now doesn’t necessarily mean that California will have lots of water when it needs it. That’s because what matters is not only how much water we get, but when and how we get it.
Photo: Tim Mossholder/Unsplash
Natural Gas Power Plant Retirements in California
Mark Specht, Energy analyst
February 25, 2019 9:51 AM EDT
As the rest of the country rushes to build natural gas power plants, California continues to downsize its fleet. While the official numbers are not yet in, 2018 appears to have been a big year for natural gas power plant retirements in California.
Corporations and Activists are Exploiting Open Records Laws. California is Trying to Change That
Michael Halpern, Deputy director, Center for Science & Democracy
February 22, 2019 4:39 PM EDT
Corporations and activists from the left and the right are abusing open records laws to harass public university researchers. A growing body of analysis shows that these attacks are growing both in number and severity. Fortunately, some states have begun to clarify how these laws apply to university researchers, both through courts and state legislatures. Read more >
