California Climate & Energy Collaborative

California’s Best Low-Income Climate Program is in Jeopardy

Sarina Soor
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California seems prosperous if talking about the state economy overall, as Governor Brown did in his State of the State address. But since the Great Recession, California’s poorest citizens have only gotten poorer, their incomes dropping by 25 percent. With less money in their pockets, more Californians are having their utilities shut off because they can’t afford their…

What you need to know: California shift to more efficient light bulbs

Sarina Soor
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“Light bulb energy efficiency standards in effect in California as of January 1, 2018, continue the gradual transition from the more than 125-year-old incandescent light bulb to significantly more efficient alternatives. The new bulbs are just as bright, use a lot less energy, last up to 25 times longer, and will save California consumers and…

Energy Efficiency: Bipartisan Solution That Needs Support

Sarina Soor
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“Is there anything surprising about a New York Times op-ed co-authored by an environmental advocate and a senior utility executive? Not if the subject is the bipartisan case for federal energy efficiency leadership. In fact, that’s well-established common ground, even among some traditional adversaries. Smarter energy is not only ‘one of the most powerful resources we…

States Lead the Way on Energy Efficiency as Feds Falter

Sarina Soor
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“A recent report card of state energy efficiency policies and programs shows that even in this era of partisan divide, blue and red states alike are embracing smarter energy use as a key strategy for reducing harmful pollution, saving consumers money, creating jobs, and driving economic growth.” Click here to read more from NRDC

Western U.S. Accelerating Climate Action Despite CPP Repeal

Sarina Soor
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The Environmental Protection Agency announced this week that it has issued a proposal to repeal the Clean Power Plan (CPP), which aims to reduce dangerous carbon pollution from power plants. Rolling back this critical policy makes no sense, especially given the tremendous clean energy progress already occurring throughout the country. The western states have seen…

Residential Energy Efficiency is Largest Source of CO2 Reduction Potential

Sarina Soor
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“…residential efficiency can account for as much as 550 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions reductions annually by 2050 (equal to the combined electric power emissions of California, Texas, New York,  Florida, Illinois, and Virginia in 2016). The next highest single intervention source is electrification of vehicles which would account for approximately 481 metric…