News and Insights

Follow our News and Insights page for relevant industry updates including what's happening in sustainable utility technology and practical advice for California public agencies manging the transition to sustainable technology.

Record High Wildfire Threats Force Cal. to Pick When & Where to Fight Utilities

Record wildfire threats like winds, drought, and heat take the wildfire fight much farther that utilities, forcing California to pick when and where to fight utilities. Since 2017, California has had 13 of its 20 most destructive fires , seven of its 20 deadliest fires , average temperature is...
Read more

Rapid ‘Energy Efficiency as a Service’ Growth Belies Financing & Difficulties

According to panelists at the US Department of Energy’s Better Buildings summit, energy service providers offering off-balance sheet efficiency products have seen rapid growth in the number of deals signed each year. A 2017 market report by Navigant estimated Energy Efficiency as a Service could...
Read more

California’s dilemma: How to control skyrocketing electric rates while building the grid of the future

New ideas include income-based rates, publicly-funded infrastructure, utility entrepreneurship, and customer-funded wildfire insurance. California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) President Marybel Batjer says the state will not let skyrocketing electricity rates threaten reliability or the state’s policy goals. But affordability is a growing concern as California...
Read more

Demand Response for Everyone

As you know, Demand Response plays a vital role in supporting cleaner and more reliable electricity across California as our grid evolves. Previously, schools with backup generators were not eligible to enroll these assets in Demand Response. However, with recent updates, we believe that the...
Read more

SPURR UV-C Disinfection Webinar Presented by Rexel Energy Solutions & R-Zero

Schools are evaluating new protocols to keep their indoor environment, students, and staff safe from pathogens. UV-C disinfection is an alternative to other disinfection regimes, such as spraying that have their own costs and dangers. R-Zero’s Arc has been shown in studies to kill 99.99%...
Read more

March Public Workshop by CPUC on PG&E and SDG&E Preventive Power Shutoffs

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will host a public workshop on the operations and performance of Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric and another utility company during 2020 preventive power shutoffs, also known as Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). At this...
Read more

Important Update: Changes to Solar Net Energy Metering (NEM) Rules

If is considering commencing any solar energy projects in the next two years, please review this status report regarding impending revisions to net energy metering (NEM) rules. Executive Summary: Anyone planning new solar should strongly consider submitting interconnection applications prior to November 2021, to secure 20...
Read more

The Texas Power Crisis

A recent article regarding the February 2021 Texas electricity crisis of makes some interesting points about Texas that are pertinent to California. The article is “The Texas Power Crisis, New Home Construction, and Electric Heating,” 2/22/2021, by Lucas Davis, a Professor at the Haas School...
Read more