Library

Over the years, our programs have yielded a wealth of information, insights, and knowledge that can be an asset to anyone embarking on a procurement project for utility solutions. Access it here.

News & Insights

What is the SPURR Telecom & Networking program and how can it benefit you?

SPURR T&N Program Helps  Schools and Districts Save on Technology  Districts across California rely on SPURR to procure cost-effective, competitively-sourced technology and networking items. We deliver through combined buying power and expertise in the technologies that you need to serve your students and staff. This...
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News & Insights

LA School District Cyberattack

Joining other high-profile educational institutions hit by cyberattacks this year is the Los Angeles Unified School District. The district fell victim to an unprecedented cyberattack, which prompted major alarm across the country, “from urgent talks with the White House and the National Security Council after...
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News & Insights

Limits and Costs of Full Electrification

In October 2022, UC Berkeley’s Energy Institute at Haas published a paper on the limits and costs of “full” electrification, which means converting all energy services to electricity. The paper’s conclusion reads, in part: “Policies that move to target 100 percent electrification through rigid mandates...
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News & Insights

Natural-gas prices have more than doubled this year

On Sep 19, the Wall Street Journal published an article and video that addresses recent energy market increases. The gist of the article is: “Natural-gas prices have more than doubled this year because of a global supply shortage made worse by the war in Ukraine,...
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News & Insights

Sheep Are the Solar Industry’s Lawn Mowers of Choice

The laborious job of clearing weeds in solar-panel fields has triggered a welcome boom for American shepherds and their flocks.  Jobs clearing local flora under and around stretches of solar panels have triggered an unexpected boom for sheepherders, who have found work in the new...
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News & Insights

Recent cyberattacks highlight the vulnerability of California schools

Per Joe Hong at CalMatters: “While the Los Angeles Unified attack attracted the media spotlight, cyberattacks on school districts happen frequently nationwide. According to Emsisoft, a cybersecurity software company that tracks cyberattacks, there were 58 school districts and 1,681 schools across the country affected by...
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News & Insights

Who’s to blame for California’s high gas prices?

Per Dan Walters at CalMatter: “Rather, it’s been repeatedly demonstrated that California’s relatively high gas prices are largely, if not completely, explainable by unique factors such as the state’s particular refining recipe meant to minimize smog-producing emissions, its high taxes, and its overall high cost...
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News & Insights

Schools and libraries oppose proposed mandatory national bidding portal for E-rate as counterproductive

The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition, the State E-rate Coordinators’ Alliance, and the Consortium for School Networking have written a letter to the Federal Communications Commission in opposition to a proposed mandatory E-rate national bidding portal. As noted in the letter, the portal is...
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News & Insights

97% of smart meters fail to provide promised customer benefits

California’s experience shows customer access to real-time data does not compromise privacy or security, Mission:data’s Murray insisted. Utilities’ excuses “hide concern with revenue losses from lower kWh sales,” an intent to avoid “liability and customer support burdens,” or “competition from third parties for services they...
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News & Insights

Hackers release data after LAUSD refuses to pay ransom

Hackers released data from Los Angeles Unified School District on Saturday, a day after Supt. Alberto Carvalho said he would not negotiate with or pay a ransom to the criminal syndicate. . . . “What I can tell you is that the demand — any...
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