CA Current
- The Buzz August 7, 2020Months of speculation as to who would be the CA grid operator’s new chief ends with the naming of Bonneville Power Administration head Elliott Mainzer. He says he wants to build on the success of the Energy Imbalance Market, which BPA joins next year. A nasty dispute between state utility commissioners and the executive director […]Elizabeth Mc Carthy
- New Grid Operator Chief Comes from Bonneville Power August 6, 2020The California Independent System Operator chose the current head of the Bonneville Power Administration as its new chief. Elliot Mainzer is BPA’s chief executive officer and president, who will replace CAISO’s outgoing Steve Berberich Sept. 30, the grid operator announced Aug. 6. Mainzer, originally from San Francisco, has been BPA’s administrator for the last seven […]Elizabeth Mc Carthy
- Sudden Change at Helm of Utilities Commission August 6, 2020The California Public Utilities Commission executive director says she is being pushed out for pressuring the agency to collect $200 million owed to it by utility companies, mostly ones that provide water, but also energy and telecommunications. CPUC President Marybel Batjer notified staff the evening of Aug. 4 that Alice Stebbins, who has been executive […]Elizabeth Mc Carthy
- Fracking Protection Bill Sputters August 6, 2020Legislation to require setbacks between natural gas and oil wells and playgrounds, schools, hospitals, and homes to protect the health of predominantly communities of color failed the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee Aug. 5. But it was revived by a 5-3 vote to reconsider it in the future. AB 345 by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi […]Elizabeth Mc Carthy
- Sempra Earnings Soar, Ups Fight to Protect Turf in CA August 6, 2020Sempra Energy, the parent company of both San Diego Gas & Electric and SoCal Gas, saw sharply increased earnings of $2.305 billion in the second quarter, or $7.64 per share. That compares to $435 million last year, or $1.29 per share. Much of the increase was attributed to the multi-billion dollar sale of its South […]Elizabeth Mc Carthy
- SoCal Gas Sues CEC for Illegally Sidelining Natural Gas August 6, 2020The battle to preserve natural gas in California is heating up. Southern California Gas sued the California Energy Commission July 31, claiming it shirked its duty to adequately report the role natural gas will play in the state’s energy future. The lawsuit brought in the State Superior Court in Orange County was joined by SoCal […]Elizabeth Mc Carthy
- The Bill for Energy Shifts from the Office to Home August 5, 2020The increased hours people are spending at home have driven up residential power demand in California, and with it, utility bills. Late summer with its higher temperatures only makes the situation worse. The highest increase in home energy use reported among the major private and public utilities was 15%, in the southern part of the […]Elizabeth Mc Carthy
- Bills on Lithium Extraction, EV Charging, Biomethane Advance August 4, 2020The Senate Energy Utilities & Communications Committee met this week and passed four energy bills. The committee had halted reconvening mid-July after one lawmaker and some staff were found to be infected with Covid-19. The quartet of measures approved Aug. 3 promote electric vehicle chargers and school efficiency, lithium recovery in the Imperial Valley, turning […]Elizabeth Mc Carthy
- Shorts August 4, 2020Updated Aug. 6 The California Public Utility Commission staff has focused Pacific Gas & Electric’s wildfire reduction strategies, from a new website to partnerships with local agency, to ensure improvements in the utility’s responses to wildfires this year. That includes reducing the spread of its public power safety shutoffs. The greatest risk is PG&E’s execution, […]Elizabeth Mc Carthy
- News Roundup: CPUC to Oppose Payday for Transmission Owners August 4, 2020Updated Aug. 6 State energy regulators are expected to soon ratify their staff’s formal opposition to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s March plan that would give transmission owners handsome payoffs for cybersecurity upgrades. The awards would come even if the businesses were already making the investments without the incentives. FERC proposes the changes to benefit […]Elizabeth Mc Carthy