Follow our energy experts in the media.
California Faces $6 Gas Again—Oil Giant Valero Shuts Down Refinery After Record $82 Million Fine
November 7, 2025
MSN News
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, elaborates in MSN News on the implications of refinery shutdowns on rising gas prices and the resulting market inefficiencies.
Is Your Electric Bill Going Up? AI is Partly to Blame
November 6, 2025
NPR
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, examines how the public bears the financial burden of supplying electricity to data centers that support AI on NPR.
Surging Power Costs Are Putting the Squeeze on Customers
November 1, 2025
The Wall Street Journal
Meredith Fowlie, Energy Institute Faculty Director, provides her perspective in the Wall Street Journal on the driving forces behind rapidly rising power bills and the diminishing degree of power which consumers have over energy consumption.
In an Era of Rising Rates, Policies to Strengthen Power System Flexibility Can Lower Costs
October 29, 2025
Utility Dive
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, provides an analysis of the feasibility of investing in an expanded power system to meet rising demand while also limiting rate impacts.
People on Both Sides of the Aisle Are Warming up to Nuclear Energy
October 22, 2025
LAist
Lucas Davis Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate, comments on the growing support for nuclear energy in the U.S., driven by rising electricity demand, new private investments, and a more pragmatic view among environmentalists on LAist.
Hunting for Energy Hogs, With Severin Borenstein
October 21, 2025
Resources Radio
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, discusses energy pricing policies and pushes back on the current narrative surrounding “energy hogs” on Resources Radio.
California's Power Struggle: Balancing Cost, Climate and Demand
October 15, 2025
ABC News
Andrew Campbell, Energy Institute Executive Director and James Bushnell, Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate, breaks down in ABC News how California is balancing clean energy goals with rising demand and high power costs.
California Gas Prices Could Fall Under a New Law. Will You See It At The Pump?
October 14, 2025
The Sacramento Bee
Severin Borenstein‘s, Energy Institute Faculty Director, research is used in The Sacramento Bee to analyze the potential fall in gas prices in California following a new law.
Bay Area Drivers Could Feel Gas Price Spike After Southern California Refinery Fire
October 3, 2025
CBS News and More
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, sheds light with CBS News on the gasoline supply disruption occurring following the refinery fire in El Segundo, as well as potential ways to address rising prices.
Newsom Signs Climate, Energy Bills Charting State Course Through Perilous ‘Mid-Transition
September 19, 2025
KQED
Meredith Fowlie, Energy Institute Faculty Director, provides her perspective in KQED on the effectiveness of a new Senate bill in lowering electricity rates for consumers.
California Tightens Carbon Market to Get Deeper Emissions Cuts
September 19, 2025
E&E News
Meredith Fowlie, Energy Institute Faculty Director, comments in E&E News on the difficulties of implementing such emissions cuts while also limiting excessive costs for consumers.
Rooftop Solar Installation Has Plummeted in LA. Why?
September 11, 2025
LAist
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, contributes his perspective in LAist on the impact of electricity rates on solar adoption levels in LA.
Consumers Have Choice For Many Service Providers. Not So With Electricity
September 10, 2025
Marketplace
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, breaks down on how the business of utilities naturally leads to monopolies on Marketplace.
No, Wind And Solar Power Aren’t ‘Worthless’ When There’s No Wind Or Sun
September 9, 2025
PolitiFact
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, supports the inherent value that solar and wind power brings during both times with or without sun and wind in PolitiFact.
Should California Allow More Oil Drilling? Yes — But In Moderation
August 31, 2025
The Sacramento Bee
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, explores the place oil has in the State of California and the possible role it will play as the state moves forward in The Sacramento Bee.
How Data Centers Can Learn To Turn Off And Help The Grid
August 19, 2025
E&E NEWS
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, examines the role that Demand Flexibility can play as data centers are integrated into the grid in E&E News.
California Considers More Drilling and Other Concessions to Big Oil as Refineries Plan to Close
August 7, 2025
KQED
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, looks at California’s relationship with Big Oil as it moves toward clean energy on KQED.
30% Solar Tax Credit Set to End this Year
August 5, 2025
KTVU and More
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, comments on the future of solar energy in the United States on KTVU.
Majority of California Retail Electricity Now Comes from Green Sources
July 16, 2025
KCBS Radio
Andrew Campbell, Energy Institute Executive Director, interviews on KCBS Radio regarding the climate change impact of California’s green initiatives.
California’s Wind And Solar Projects Face New Federal Hurdles
July 14, 2025
Cal Matters
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, discusses in Cal Matters the role that California’s clean energy projects plays for other states.
No, Gas Prices Aren't Jumping 65 Cents. But They Are Rising
July 9, 2025
Cap Radio
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, comments on Cap Radio on how much gas prices are likely to increase.
‘Beautiful’ Coal and ‘Ugly’ Solar? See These Photos and Decide.
July 3, 2025
The Washington Post
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director and past Energy Institute Graduate Student Researcher Stephen Jarvis breaks down the comparison of the beauty between clean renewable energy and energy based on fossil fuels.
California Gas Prices Are Going Up. How Much? We Ask The Experts.
June 30, 2025
La-ist
Energy Institute Faculty Director, Severin Borenstien, provides insight on several factors contributing to the increasing price of California gas.
A Former California Utility Exec Explains Why Your Electricity Bills Are So High
June 15, 2025
Inside Climate News
Research quoted on Inside News by past Energy Institute Graduate Student Researchers Karl Dunkle Werner and Stephen Jarvis elaborates on potential reasons for the high electricity bills due to gaps in the average return on equity for utilities.
CA’s Self-Inflicted Fuel Crunch Escalates Economic and Political Tensions
June 11, 2025
Los Angeles Times and More
Energy Institute Faculty Director, Severin Borenstein discusses how less refining capacity will likely affect gas prices in California.
How Trump-Musk Feud Could Crush California’s Electric Vehicle Goals
June 6, 2025
The San Francisco Chronicle
Energy Institute Faculty Affiliates, James Sallee and Lucas Davis, breakdown the potential after effects of the public feud between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk on electric vehicles.
California’s Rooftop Solar Credit System Gets Its Day In Court While Lawmakers Debate Payments
June 4, 2025
LA-ist
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, analyzes both the state and economics of rooftop solar subsides in California on LAist.
California Lawmakers Pounce on Energy Board Amid Departing Oil Refineries: "We Have a Crisis on Our Hands"
May 25, 2025
CBS News
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, explores on CBS News the possibility of an increase in the cost following the closure of oil refineries in California.
Refinery Closures Increase Uncertainty About California’s Fuel Future
May 3, 2025
Fox 5 San Diego
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, discusses the trends in California’s high gas prices as well as the implications of a decline in gas demand and phase out of refineries.
California Doubles Down on Key Emissions Program After Trump Calls It ‘Radical’
April 16, 2025
KQED
Meredith Fowlie, Energy Institute Faculty Director, comments on the future of the cap and trade program with KQED.
This Homeowner Cut Her Heating Bill in Half — and Got a $1,200 Tax Credit
April 15, 2025
CNBC
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director and Lucas Davis Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate analyze on CNBC the benefits on Clean Energy Tax Break Incentives.
Bay Area Solar Power Owners Could See More Cuts to Incentives
April 14, 2025
CBS Bay Area News
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, breaks down the possible cuts solar power owners may see to their incentives with CBS Bay Area News.
This California Law Was Supposed to Stop Gasoline Price Gouging. Has it?
March 30, 2025
The Sacramento Bee
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, discusses current data reporting of refining companies on The Sacramento Bee.
California Democrats Seek to Balance Climate With Cost of Living
March 17, 2025
NPR
Meredith Fowlie, Faculty Director of the Energy Institute, elaborates on how the Cap-and-Trade initiative impacts the carbon market and has the potential to reduce carbon emissions.
Making Cents Out of Watts: What’s Driving Up Your Energy Bills?
March 14, 2025
Climate One Podcast
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director of the Energy Institute, joins the Climate One Podcast to analyze how lower-income households spend a greater share of their income on energy compared to higher-income households.
How Tariffs on Canadian Energy Imports Will Drive California Prices Higher
March 7, 2025
The San Bernardino Sun
Andrew Campbell, Energy Institute Faculty Director, discusses his concern in California prices increasing over tariffs within Canadian Energy imports and further issues.
California’s Solar Surplus Has Led to Curtailment, Cost-Related Issues
February 26, 2025
LA-ist and More
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director of the Energy Institute, talks about the CPUC report on rooftop solar credits with LAist and highlights how a significant portion of high electricity rates is driven by cost shifts.
‘As Bad as it Gets’: Here’s Why California Gas Prices Skyrocketed
February 14, 2025
SFGate
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, discusses in the SF Gate his concern over abnormally large spikes in California gas prices and elaborates on potential reasons.
Oil Giant BP Promises a “Fundamental Reset.” What Will That Look Like?
February 12, 2025
Marketplace
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, speaks on Marketplace about the rise of Northern California’s gas prices after recent refinery fires.
Gas Prices Hop Higher in California, Bay Area After Refinery Blaze
February 4, 2025
The Mercury News and More
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director discusses with The Mercury News the rise of Northern California’s gas prices after recent refinery fires.
Who's On the Hook for California's Uninsurable Homes?
January 16, 2025
The Indicator from Planet Money and More
Meredith Fowlie, Energy Institute Faculty Director, is on The Indicator from Planet Money talking about the pressures and challenges around the FAIR plan when it comes to home insurances and wildfire risks.
How Climate Change is Reshaping Home Insurance in California — and the Rest of the U.S.
January 14, 2025
NPR and More
Meredith Fowlie, Energy Institute Faculty Director, talks on NPR about higher insurance rates particularly in California and how it relates to climate change.
Californians Pay Hefty Fee for Electricity, and Rates are Likely to Keep Increasing
January 8, 2025
KQED
Andrew Campbell, Energy Institute Executive Director, discusses on KQED the proposed reasoning for rising utility rates in California and provides his stance on potential solutions.
Report Finds California Residential Electricity Rates Increasing Faster Than Inflation
January 7, 2025
CBS News
James Bushnell, Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate, comments on CBS News on the effects of solar power usage on the rising electricity rates for California consumers.
UC Berkeley Professor Discusses President Biden's Ban on New Offshore Oil Drilling
January 8, 2025
CBS News
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, appeared on CBS News to discuss the offshore oil drilling ban recently enacted by outgoing President Biden. Borenstein argued that there is insufficient evidence to suggest that the amount of oil involved would have a meaningful impact on the market.
These Homeowners’ PG&E Bills Reveal California’s Dramatic Shift on Solar
January 1, 2025
San Francisco Chronicle
According to Energy Institute Faculty Director Severin Borenstein and other experts in the San Francisco Chronicle, moving to battery storage will motivate solar panel users to store their own energy, rather than depending on the grid for the same function.
Will Trump’s Proposed Tariffs Cause Gas Prices to Go Up in California? What Experts Say
December 28, 2024
The Sacramento Bee
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director shares his insight with The Sacramento Bee on the potential impact of President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on gasoline prices in California.
California’s Solar Surplus Has Led to Curtailment, Cost-Related Issues
December 4, 2024
LA-ist
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director recounts trends in the solar energy market and provides his insight on the topic on an LAist podcast.
US Electric Vehicle Demand Seen Plunging 27% Without Tax Credit
November 19, 2024
Bloomberg and More
Bloomberg references Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate, Joseph Shapiro‘s research on the effects that Trump’s initiatives towards EV vehicle credits would have on future trends in the EV market.
Green Subsidies
November 19, 2024
Axios
Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate James Sallee’s blog post is referenced as quote of the day in Axios on the future of the Inflation Reduction Act and climate policy.
California Regulators Are Pressed to Come Clean on Gasoline Prices
November 5, 2024
LA Times and More
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, states his views on the debate surrounding an increase in fossil fuel prices and whether or not the cost increase would have a substantial impact on climate change.
Phillips 66 Refinery Closures
October 18, 2024
KQED
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, elaborates on KQED on his thoughts on the Phillips 66 Refinery Complex closure and the effects that this will have on already high gas prices in California, as well as the complications that could arise from this.
New Law Aims to Prevent Gas Price Spikes by Requiring Minimum Amount of Gas
October 14, 2024
NBC Los Angeles
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, shares his perspective on the effectiveness of a new CA law in decreasing gas price spikes through requiring a minimum amount of gas to be kept in storage.
Electric Car Subsidies Are a Plus, but Could Be Improved, Study Finds
October 7, 2024
The New York Times
The New York Times shares new study by Joseph Shapiro, Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate and co-authors, assessing the $7,500 tax credit for U.S.-made electric vehicles in the Inflation Reduction Act.
The EV Culture Wars Aren’t What They Seem
October 3, 2024
The Atlantic
Lucas Davis, Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate, has his research on EV political partisanship featured in The Atlantic. His research indicates a strong divide in EV registration between Republican and Democratic parties.
California Lawmakers Pass Legislation to Prevent Gas Price Spikes
October 1, 2024
KQED
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, shares on KQED that California’s elevated state taxes and strict environmental regulations have contributed to higher gas prices since 2015, a phenomenon he refers to as the “Mystery Gasoline Surcharge”.
California Lawmakers Punt on Chances to Deal with Utility Bill Crisis
September 5, 2024
Canary Media
Energy Institute Faculty Director Meredith Fowlie‘s research is featured in Canary Media. Meredith delves into her perspective on the implications of under-grounding power lines to mitigate wildfire risk.
California's Crushing Power Bills Challenge Its Climate Goals
September 3, 2024
Bloomberg
Meredith Fowlie, Energy Institute Faculty Director, has her research featured in Bloomberg. She analyzes the costs and benefits of PG&E’s project to bury 10,000 miles of powerlines in Northern California.
Severin Borenstein Provides Information About Gavin Newsom’s Plan of Addressing High Gas Prices
September 1, 2024
KCBS Radio and More
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, provides insight into Gavin Newsom’s legislative sessions geared towards targeting high gas prices and pushing energy bills on KCBS Radio.
Wealthy Homeowners Nab Billions in Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency
August 16, 2024
E&E News and More
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, and Lucas Davis, Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate in E&E News. Davis shares thoughts on energy tax credits primarily benefiting wealthy homeowners, who are more likely to invest in energy-efficient upgrades, making these credits less equitable and less effective than broader measures like a carbon tax.
Where (and How) Americans Are Taking Advantage of Clean Energy Tax Credits
August 8, 2024
The New York Times
James Salle, Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate, offers insights in The New York Times on the ways in which the climate-friendly tax credits introduced by the Inflation Reduction Act disproportionately benefit wealthier individuals.
Why Californians Have Some of the Highest Power Bills in the U.S.
August 5, 2024
The Wall Street Journal
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, explains the problems with California’s renewable energy production and its electrical infrastructure.
Rising US Power Prices Reflect New Reality for Utilities in Warming World
July 29, 2024
SP Global
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, examines rising US power prices and explains why US power retails costs have been inconsistent over the years.
Researchers Reveal a Hidden Factor in California’s Insurance Crisis: The ‘Winner’s Curse’
July 18, 2024
Berkeley News and More
Meredith Fowlie, Energy Institute Faculty Director, discusses insurance regulations in Berkeley News and how different strategies can significantly impact premiums.
Electricity Prices Get Political in Trump’s World
July 17, 2024
E&E News
Republicans are using the cost of power — usually an arcane issue — in a populist attack on Biden’s economic and climate policies. Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, explains the problems with this approach.
Clean Energy Tax Credits Largely Go to High-Income Tax Filers, New Report Shows
July 15, 2024
Washington Examiner
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, and Lucas Davis, Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate, discuss clean energy tax credits and major pitfalls derived from the policy in the Washington Examiner.
California's Gas Tax Just Went Up. So Has The Bickering.
July 5, 2024
San Diego Union Tribune
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, examines California’s gas tax and the disputes surrounding it in The San Diego Union Tribune.
Thousands of PG&E Customers Without Power Across Bay Area Due to Weather
July 2, 2024
ABC News
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, explains the power outage across Bay Area and shares his outlook.
Where San Francisco Gas Prices Stand Two Years After Historic High
June 13, 2024
San Francisco Examiner
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, examines the demand for gas in San Francisco and its connection to electric vehicles.
How California Broke Its Electricity Bills
June 5, 2024
Shift Key Podcast
Rob and Jesse from Shift Key Podcast talk with Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, about rooftop solar bills and whether the government should take over electric utilities.
Bay Area Forecast: How Long Will the Heat Last?
June 5, 2024
East Bay Times
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, joins East Bay Times to address the effects of the increased temperature in the Bay Area.
How Biden’s China Tariffs Could Hurt California
May 31, 2024
Politico
James Sallee, Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate, speaks with Politco about his thoughts on the current relationship between California and the Chinese automobile industry.
Three Questions for Mr. Mystery Surcharge
May 24, 2024
Politico
Politco interviews Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, on the causes and implications of the investigations into California’s high gas prices relative to other parts of the US.
Here’s Why So Many Republicans Won’t Buy EVs
May 7, 2024
The Washington Post
The Washington Post highlights study by Faculty Affiliate, Lucas Davis, on the expansion of electric vehicle options and sales, although its distribution to the Democratic population remains consistent.
Giant Batteries Are Transforming the Way the U.S. Uses Electricity
May 7, 2024
The New York Times and More
Faculty Director, Meredith Fowlie, shares her perspective in the New York Times on the nation’s efforts to diversify battery storage, but cautions to be mindful about not incurring hefty costs during the process.
Letters: PG&E’s Proposed Fixed Fee is Designed to Benefit Customers. Here’s How
April 30, 2024
SF Chronicle
Faculty Director Severin Borenstein contributes his point of view on a fixed PG&E charge to offset lower per-kWh prices.
Trump, Biden Spar Over US Energy Independence
April 29, 2024
E&E News
Executive Director Andrew Campbell elaborates on the varied definitions of “Energy Independence” and the implications of this term.
A Plan to Change Your Utility Rates is Dividing California Environmentalists. Here’s Why...
April 19, 2024
Canary Media and More
Faculty Director, Severin Borenstein, is quoted in Canary Media regarding his 2021 research conducted with Meredith Fowlie and James Sallee on the issues with California’s electricity prices and a proposed solution to address them.
Severin Borenstein's Research in The Wall Street Journal
April 14, 2024
The Wall Street Journal
Faculty Director Severin Borenstein’s study was mentioned in The Wall Street Journal about the residential solar market’s recent decline.
The U.S. Urgently Needs a Bigger Grid. Here’s a Fast Solution
April 9, 2024
The New York Times
Faculty Affiliate Duncan Callaway’s study is mentioned in The New York Times, and examines the process of uprading power lines with advanced conductors technology to improve grid capacity.
Utility-Caused Wildfires Are Becoming a National Problem
March 25, 2024
The New York Times
Faculty Affiliate Duncan Callaway shares his recent research findings in The New York Times, regarding the utilization of existing sensors and enhanced software systems in numerous utilities to increase wildfire prevention.
How Much are Wind Turbines Dragging Down Home Values? A New Study Has Surprising Answers
March 18, 2024
CNN
Faculty Affiliate Maximilian Auffhammer interprets the results of his study regarding the negative impact on the property value of houses near wind turbines in this CNN article.
Storing Renewable Energy, One Balloon at a Time
March 18, 2024
The New York Times and More
Faculty Affiliate James Bushnell is quoted in the New York Times discussing the drawbacks of storing energy for extended periods of time.
Cap-and-trade is Bread and Butter Now
March 12, 2024
Politco
Energy Institute Faculty Director, Meredith Fowlie, shares her thoughts on the rising electricity costs and the impact of climate inaction in the Politico article.
'It's Crazy': How Soaring PG&E Rates are impacting California's Electric Car Owners
March 11, 2024
San Francisco Chronicle
Energy Institute Faculty Director, Severin Borenstein, comments in the San Francisco Chronicle on the impact of rising electricity prices on the cost of maintaining, repairing, and fueling electric cars.
States Eye Rescue of Retiring Coal Plants
March 7, 2024
E&E News
Energy Institute Faculty Director, Severin Borenstein, asserts his opinion in E&E News on a series of Utah bills meant to make it more difficult to retire power plants.
Legislative Democrats Are Running From Their Own Tax-the-Rich Electricity Idea. Why?
March 1, 2024
The Sacramento Bee
Energy Institute Faculty Director, Severin Borenstein, provides his insight into the reasons as to why legislature is turning away from having PG&E electricity bills to be set according to household income.