New Analysis: Prop. 23 creates legal turmoil, cuts state revenue, reduces job growth

News from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law.
Contact: Susan Gluss, 510.642.6936, sgluss@law.berkeley.edu

Berkeley, CA—Sept. 9, 2010. An independent analysis of Proposition 23 says the initiative would create legal uncertainty, reduce California state revenue, and jeopardize new and existing clean energy jobs. The white paper, released today by UC Berkeley School of Law’s Center for Law, Energy & the Environment, reports Prop. 23 would also slow California’s efforts to reduce climate change and could have a domino effect on other states.

The report, California at the Crossroads: Proposition 23, AB 32, and Climate Change, details the legal and regulatory impact of the ballot initiative if passed by voters in November. Prop. 23 calls for the suspension of AB 32, the state’s Global Warming Solutions Act, until state unemployment remains at or below 5.5 percent for 4 consecutive quarters—a rate that’s been reached just thrice in nearly 35 years.

Driving Green's going to get easier

July, 2010
Daniweb- IT Discussion Community
A new smart phone application, Virtual Test Drive, from Virtual Vehicle Company (VEVco) will allow a phone to track the user's driving patterns in order to help them improve their mileage. The application uses the phone's GPS chip in order to track factors like when a user starts and stops driving, their customary speed, and the length of the the trips they take. The application requires no manual data input from the user.

When logging into the Virtual Test Drive site, the user is shown routes for previous trips with factors such as hills, acceleration points, and distance, along with information regarding how several types of plug-in car would have performed.

 

Knowing his or her driving patterns can help a driver determine the car that's best for them in terms of range, efficiency, cost and mileage, letting them pick from the variety of green cars available, as well as helping them choose between leasing and buying. The company believes that a lack of consumer information about electric and hybrid vehicles is slowing the adoption of such vehicles, and seeks to supply that need. Three quarters of car shoppers research their vehicle on the web before buying, and VEVco hopes to tap into that market.

UC Berkeley Study Touts Economic Benefits of a Feed-In Tariff

Analysis shows unparalleled job growth, tax benefits,
and investment potential of a comprehensive FIT achieving the 33% RPS

Berkeley – University of California, Berkeley announces today the results of a study examining the economic benefits of a comprehensive Feed-In Tariff (FIT). The analysis shows that enacting a robust FIT in California to achieve the state’s 33% Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) would create 3 times the number of jobs, over 2 billion in additional tax revenue, and stimulate tens of billions in new investment. Furthermore, the adoption of a comprehensive FIT will cost-effectively fulfill California’s 33%-by-2020 goal on schedule.

RAEL teams up with Climate Earth Inc. to cut PG&E's emissions

June, 2010
Next100

PG&E Takes Aim at Supply-Chain Emissions

 Shrinking your carbon footprint isn’t as simple as cutting your direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—whether from your car or your fireplace. It’s also a matter of watching what you buy, so you don’t embed hidden emissions in your purchases.

Credit: Nick Saltmarsh

The same principle holds for companies. As the largest California utility, with a $4 billion annual purchasing budget, PG&E can have a big impact on GHG emissions through its procurement decisions. But making informed choices, in an economy that does not (yet) price carbon emissions, is no easy task.

Dan Kammen participates in Washington DC panel: "Accelerating the Clean Energy Economy: Key Pathways, Policies, and Pitfallsl"

Date: 
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 - 12:00pm - 2:00pm

In the shadow of the Gulf oil spill, the U.S. Senate will soon debate energy and climate legislation that will seek to claim American leadership in the global clean energy race. The question at hand: How can we build the best policy and financing platform to deliver the right outcomes – from short-term job creation, carbon reduction, and clean energy megawatts on the grid to long-term economic competitiveness and energy security?   

On Tuesday, June 29 at 12:00 pm, the NDN Green Project will host a group of NDN fellows, partners, and experts in a real-time review of the status of the energy and climate debate and a discussion of the ideas that can help create a clean energy economy.

To attend this event at NDN or to watch via our live webcast, please RSVP.  The live webcast will begin promptly at 12:15 pm.

Panelists to include: