Follow our energy experts in the media.
America’s Great Home Heating Divide, Visualized
March 6, 2023
The Washington Post
The Washington Post reports on Energy Economist of the Energy Institute at Haas, Lucas Davis, discussing the discrepancy in heating sources across the US.
Newsom’s Proposal to Cap Oil Profits in California Meets Skepticism in First Public Hearing
February 22, 2023
Politico and More
Faculty Director Severin Borenstein comments on the California cap on oil company profits in Politico.
What’s Fueling California’s High Natural Gas Prices
February 16, 2023
The New York Times and More
Faculty Director Severin Borenstein examines the factors behind California’s historically high natural gas prices in The New York Times.
California Has a Gas-Price Mystery: Too High, but Why?
January 20, 2023
The Wall Street Journal
Faculty Director Severin Borenstein contributes to the discussion of why California has such high gas prices.
Getting Answers: Why are PG&E Bills Skyrocketing?
January 12, 2023
CBS Sacramento
Faculty Affiliate Lucas Davis comments on the rising cost of natural gas in the CBS News article.
To Get Off Fossil Fuels, America is Going to Need a Lot More Electricians
January 11, 2023
Grist
Andrew Campbell, Executive Director, delves into fossil fuels and the “race to electrify everything” on Grist.
SoCal Residents Can Expect Steep Jump To Natural Gas Bills. Here’s Why
January 10, 2023
KPCC and more
Faculty Director Severin Borenstein analyzes the expectation for a historic spike in natural gas bills in Southern California on KPCC.
Overcoming Economic Barriers to Electrifying Everything
December 13, 2022
Kleinman Center for Energy Policy
Faculty Director Meredith Fowlie explains why existing frameworks for setting consumer electricity prices can be at odds with the need to rapidly decarbonize on the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy Podcast.
Prepare for More Gas Price Hikes. Here’s Why—and Who’s to Blame
December 4, 2022
Los Angeles Times and More
Faculty Director Severin Borenstein, interviews with the Los Angeles Times on the importance of proceeding cautiously with the state’s decarbonization plans.
The Wrong Americans Are Buying Electric Cars
November 15, 2022
Bloomberg
Faculty Affiliate Lucas Davis discusses electric vehicles in households with Bloomberg.
New CPUC Rule Puts the Dimmer on Solar Power
November 11, 2022
San Francisco Examiner and More
Faculty Director Severin Borenstein discusses the new CPUC policy and solar power in the San Francisco Examiner article.
Why Gas Prices Are So Much Higher in California And How The State is Reacting
October 14, 2022
PBS and More
Energy Institute is mentioned in the Wall Street Journal article that discusses the effect of rising fuel prices on utility rates.
Utilities Have a High-Wire Act Ahead
October 9, 2022
The Wall Street Journal and More
Energy Institute is mentioned in the Wall Street Journal article that discusses the effect of rising fuel prices on utility rates.
High Electricity Rates Could Jeopardize California’s Electrification Efforts: Report
September 22, 2022
Utility Dive and More
Faculty Directors, Severin Borenstein and Meredith Fowlie, and James Sallee, Faculty Affiliate, discuss California’s high electricity rates in the Utility Dive article.
California is Awash in Renewable Energy — Except When It’s Most Needed
September 21, 2022
The Washington Post
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director, and James Bushnell, Faculty Affiliate, comment on California’s renewable energy processes in The Washington Post.
California’s Grid Withstood the Heat Wave With Texts, Batteries and Conservation
September 13, 2022
Marketplace
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director, discusses California’s electrical grid and energy conservation phone alerts on Marketplace.
Both GOP and Dems See Vindication in Calif. Grid Misery
September 9, 2022
E&E News
Andrew Campbell, Executive Director, discusses renewable energy and California’s electrical grid on E&E News.
Breaking Down the Price of Gasoline
September 2, 2022
NPR Planet Money
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director, talks about the process behind pricing gasoline on NPR Planet Money.
Nuclear Power is Having a Resurgence
August 31, 2022
Axios
Lucas Davis, Faculty Affiliate, comments on nuclear power in the Axios article.
Considering All The Solar Panels People Have Installed, Why Are We Having Flex Alerts Still?
August 30, 2022
ABC7 News and More
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director, discusses flex alerts and solar panels with ABC7 News.
Climate Change: We Should Rethink the Best Tools For Energy Transition, New Paper Argues
August 8, 2022
Yahoo Finance
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director, discusses climate change and carbon taxes in the Yahoo Finance article.
Gas Prices in California Down $1 Since Peak. How Are Prices in Sonoma County Being Affected?
August 7, 2022
Press Democrat and More
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director, comments on the recent drop in gas prices in the Press Democrat.
Surprise Climate Bill Will Meet Ambitious Goal of 40% Cut in U.S. Emissions, Energy Models Predict
August 1, 2022
Science
Meredith Fowlie, Faculty Director, comments on the new surprise climate bill’s energy models in Science.
Wonking Out: Rockets, Feathers and Prices at the Pump
July 8, 2022
The New York Times
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director, provides insight in The New York Times into the correlation between oil and gas prices.
Why Does California Pay More for Gas? Deep Dive on Prices Here
July 11, 2022
ABC7 News
Andrew Campbell, Executive Director, discusses insanely high gas prices in California on ABC7 News.
To Avoid Blackouts, California May Tap Fossil Fuel Plants
June 30, 2022
US News and More
Andrew Campbell, Executive Director, comments in US News on the state of California’s renewable energy efforts.
Why Cutting the Federal Gas Tax Might Not Help Drivers Much
June 23, 2022
CBS News
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director, discusses the federal gas tax on CBS News.
The Last Nuclear Plant in California – And The Unexpected Quest to Save It
June 23, 2022
The Guardian
Lucas Davis, Faculty Affiliate, comments on the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant in The Guardian.
Going Electric: California Car Mandate Would Hit Mechanics Hard
May 24, 2022
Cal Matters
James Sallee, Faculty Affiliate, discusses the effects of the California car mandate in Cal Matters.
“We’re Not Going to See $2 or $3 Gasoline Even in the Near Future:” Analyst on the Reason Why Gas Prices Are So High
May 21, 2022
CBS News and More
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director, discusses the relationship between crude oil and gas prices in the CBS News article.
Sky-High Diesel Prices Pinching Bay Area Truckers, Consumers
May 11, 2022
CBS News
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director on CBS News analyzing the result that high diesel gas prices have on trucks, and in turn on our retail prices.
Why Gasoline Prices Remain High Even as Crude Oil Prices Fall
April 11, 2022
The Washington Post
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director, and Lucas Davis, Faculty Affiliate, comment on the outcomes of crude oil prices in the Washington Post article.
Biden Tosses $6B Lifeline to Save Struggling Nuclear Plants
April 20, 2022
Energy Wire
Lucas Davis, Faculty Affiliate, shares his research regarding the impact of nuclear power plants in the Energy Wire feature.
It’s Time for Rooftop Solar to Compete with Other Renewables
April 7, 2022
Nature Energy
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director, suggests that California is ready for more renewable energy alternatives in the Nature Energy article.
Op-Ed: Sorry, Rooftop Solar Supporters, California Incentives Really do Punish the Poor
March 28, 2022
Los Angeles Times
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director, explains the effect of California’s rooftop solar incentives in the Los Angeles Times.
Explainer: The Myth of ‘Energy Independence’
March 24, 2022
Berkeley Haas Newsroom
Andrew Campbell, Executive Director, discusses with the Berkeley Haas Newsroom the rapid rise in gas prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
U.S Gas Prices Are Coming Back Down, but Not in California
March 24, 2022
The New York Times California Today and More
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director, shares with The New York Times California Today the reason for high gas prices soaring in California.
As Oil Prices Drop, Bay Area Residents Hope Gas Prices Will Follow
March 15, 2022
NBC Bay Area
Andrew Campbell, Executive Director, addresses dropping oil prices on NBC Bay Area.
Here’s How State Lawmakers Want to Help Californians Facing High Gas Prices
March 11, 2022
Cal Matters and More
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director, and James Bushnell, Faculty Affiliate, discuss public policy and high gas prices in the Cal Matters article.
California Average Gas Price Surpasses $5, Highest in US
March 6, 2022
The Daily Californian
Lucas Davis, Faculty Affiliate, addresses the sudden increase in gas prices on the Daily Californian.
Texas Just Dodged a Repeat of 2021 Outages, But Its Power Sector Has a Long Way To Go, Analysts Say
February 25, 2022
Utility Dive
Lucas Davis, Faculty Associate, discusses Texas’s new legislation regarding energy and electricity in the Utility Dive article.
Russia-Ukraine Crisis, Oil & Gas Prices
February 24, 2022
CapRadio
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director of the Energy Institute, breaks down how the Russia-Ukraine crisis will impact the price of oil and gas on CapRadio’s “Insight.”
Local PG&E Customers Are Seeing Rising Bills — But Why Now?
February 9, 2022
Good Day Sacramento
Faculty Affiliate, Lucas Davis, provides Good Day Sacramento with his expertise regarding the rise in natural gas prices.
California's Omission of Community Solar From Distributed Energy Policies is Short-sighted
February 8, 2022
Utility Dive
Faculty Affiliate, Duncan Callaway, discusses California’s new solar policies in the Utility Dive article.
To Skirt Air Pollution Oversight, States Can Play Hide and Seek
January 18, 2022
Undark Magazine
Energy Institute Faculty Director, Meredith Fowlie, comments in Undark Magazine regarding satellite measurements of air pollution.
Everything You Need to Know About California’s Plan to Slash Solar Incentives
December 16, 2021
Los Angeles Times and More
Energy Institute Faculty Director, Severin Borenstein, provides insight to the Los Angeles Times regarding solar power and the rooftop solar industry.
Green Incentives Usually Help The Rich. Here’s How the Build Back Better Act Could Change That.
December 2, 2021
Grist
Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate, Lucas Davis is quoted in Grist on how some tax credits may not be to every household’s advantage.
Gas Prices Actually Aren’t That High
December 2, 2021
The Washington Post
Energy Institute Faculty Director, Severin Borenstein’s piece in the Washington Post explains how gas prices actually aren’t that high as prices have increased on almost everything around us.
Here’s Why California Gas Prices Are So High
November 1, 2021
California News Times and More
Energy Institute Faculty Director, Severin Borenstein comments in the California News Times on how economy demand can affect gas price increases in the Bay Area.
Americans Are on Track to Use More Coal This Year
October 20, 2021
CBS News
Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate, Lucas Davis compares the increase in coal usage over the last few years. Davis reports that coal demand is at its highest since 2014.
Make Electric Vehicles Lighter to Maximize Climate and Safety Benefits
October 12, 2021
Nature and Axios
Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate, Max Auffhammer comments in Nature on ways we can decarbonize transport. This includes taxing heavy cars and lightening batteries to help manage climate change.
What the U.K. and Texas Energy Crises Have in Common
September 24, 2021
The Washington Post
The Washington Post reports on Faculty Director of the Energy Institute, Severin Borenstein, discussing the similarities between the UK and Texas in terms of cost and usage of energy.
Can Americans Afford to Fully Electrify Their Homes?
September 21, 2021
Kleinman Center for Energy Policy
The Kleinman Center for Energy Policy reports on Faculty Affiliate of the Energy Institute, Lucas Davis, discussing the cost of electrifying home heating, the top source of energy demand, and carbon emissions in American homes.
Ending the Great Cost Shift: How California’s Poor Subsidize the State’s Solar Lifestyle
September 21, 2021
Black Voice News
Black Voice News reports on Faculty Director of the Energy Institute, Meredith Fowlie, discussing the burden of the cost of energy falling on low-income individuals.
A Frank Conversation About California’s Chronic Energy Crisis
August 26, 2021
California Magazine
California Magazine reports on Faculty Director of the Energy Institute, Severin Borenstein, discussing the lowest-cost, highest-value renewable energy sources.
Going Up: Your Electric Bill. Going Down: Wildfire Risk?
August 23, 2021
The Orange County Register
The Orange County Register reports on Faculty Director of the Energy Institute, Severin Borenstein, discussing electricity rates.
Electrifying Big Trucks Only Lowers Emissions With a (Relatively) Clean Grid
August 5, 2021
Energi Media
Energi Media interviews Faculty Affiliate of the Energy Institute at Haas, Max Auffhammer, discussing the health and climate impacts of long-haul truck electrification.
How Uber and Lyft Can Save Lives
July 30, 2021
Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal reports on Faculty Affiliate of the Energy Institute, Lucas Davis, discussing ways in which ride-share apps helped decrease driving fatalities.
Interview with Lucas Davis on the Electricity and Air Conditioning Project in Sierra Leone
July 21, 2021
Energy and Economic Growth Blog
The Energy and Economic Growth Blog interviews Lucas Davis, a faculty affiliate of the Energy Institute, in discussing his research on electricity and air conditioning in Sierra Leone.
Energy Experts Explain Why California Has So Many Power Alerts Lately
July 7, 2021
The Seattle Times
The Seattle Times reports on Faculty Director of the Energy Institute, Severin Borenstein, discussing the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by replacing diesel trains.
Will California’s Improvements to the Power Grid Prevent Rolling Outages? Experts Are Hopeful.
June 17, 2021
ABC 7 News
ABC 7 News reports on Executive Director of the Energy Institute, Andrew Campbell, discussing concerns over California’s first major heatwave of the season which could lead to problems regarding the state’s power supply.
Californians Might be Asked to Conserve Energy during a Heatwave
June 16, 2021
KTVU, San Francisco Chronicle, and More
KTVU reports on Faculty Director of the Energy Institute, Severin Borenstein, discussing how California residents may be asked to reduce electricity use during the upcoming heatwave to avoid rolling blackouts.
Carbon Free Energy Goals
June 9, 2021
Cap Radio
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director of the Energy Institute, is featured on Cap Radio, discussing carbon-free energy goals and electricity demand. In particular, he touches on the prospect of California meeting its lofty goal of being carbon-free by 2045.
The Lowdown on High Power Prices
June 1, 2021
Resources for the Future Podcast
Meredith Fowlie, Faculty Director of the Energy Institute, joins Daniel Raimi, host of on the Resources for the Future Podcast, and discusses high electricity prices that disproportionately burden low-income households.
It Is Not All Sunshine in California’s Rooftop Solar Industry
May 20, 2021
Governing
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director at the Energy Institute at Haas, is cited in the Governing regarding the greater adoption of rooftop solar panels in California.
Can California’s Power Grid Handle Another Hot Summer?
May 19, 2021
KCRA
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director at the Energy Institute at Haas, talks with KCRA about California’s infamous rolling blackouts that occurred last Summer. As Summer 2021 is approaching, questions arise on whether or not California can handle the strain.
California’s High Electricity Rates Impede Transition Off Fossil Fuels
May 10, 2021
Cal Matters
Meredith Fowlie, Faculty Director at the Energy Institute at Haas, discusses how the rise in electricity rates have acted as a barrier for the transition off of fossil fuels reports Cal Matters. As California fights against climate change, having clean electricity is becoming more important. In addition, lower income homes in California have had to bear the brunt of expensive electricity costs.
California’s Dilemma: How To Control Skyrocketing Electric Rates While Building The Grid of The Future
April 26, 2021
Utility Dive
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director at the Energy Institute at Haas, discusses with the Utility Dive the dilemma facing California offering a simple alternative says. This new alternative has its own setback but as Borenstein discussed further, ‘There is no easy solution’.
PG&E is Changing How Your Electricity Bill Works – Here’s Everything You Need to Know
March 19, 2021
San Francisco Chronicle
Meredith Fowlie, Faculty Director at the Energy Institute at Haas, shares her insight with the San Francisco Chronicle on PG&E’s electricity bill shift. This new shift could mean a lot for Californians and their electricity bills and for climate change as a whole.
A Furious Industry Backlash Greets Moves by California Cities to Ban Natural Gas in New Construction
March 5, 2021
Inside Climate News
Lucas Davis, Faculty Affiliate at the Energy Institute, discusses with Inside Climate News the backlash from states responding to the ban of natural gas in new construction. Berkeley, California became the first state in the United States to successfully ban natural gas in new construction. While this influenced other cities to do the same, many in opposition implemented ordinances to prevent the ban from happening.
California's Electricity Prices Are So High That Researchers Worry People Won't Ditch Fossil Fuel
February 24, 2021
San Francisco Chronicle, Green Tech Media, and More
The San Francisco Chronicle reports on Faculty Directors of the Energy Institute, Severin Borenstein and Meredith Fowlie and Research Associate of the Energy Institute, James Sallee, discussing California’s growing electricity prices. While prices rise, many Californians may be discouraged in their decision to ditch fossil fuels.
Shedding Light on Electricity Blackouts, with Severin Borenstein
February 23, 2021
Resources for the Future Podcast and CapRadio
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director of the Energy Institute, discusses with the Resources for the Future Podcast the recent electricity blackouts in California – and now in Texas. While they both share different systems, recent blackouts emphasize the need for more accountability on behalf of power suppliers to secure resource sufficiency.
Why Wasn’t Texas’ Power Grid Prepared for Cold Weather?
February 18, 2021
The Christian Science Monitor, the San Francisco Chronicle, and More
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director of the Energy Institute, discusses the recent power outages in Texas with The Christian Science Monitor. While many other states suffer from power outages, Texas offers a unique situation with their energy independence from the rest of the country.
Electric Vehicles are Driven Less Often Than Policymakers Think, Study Says
February 8, 2021
Axios, Daily Democrat, and More
Moving forward with the Biden Administration, the future of electric cars looks promising notes Axios. While policymakers have data to show electric car use, new studies have proved that electric cars are driven half as much as the average conventional car. James Bushnell and Catherine Wolfram weigh in, emphasizing the importance of this research to ensure electric cars are on the right path towards a cleaner future.
The Steady Rise of Electricity for Home Heating
January 5, 2021
Axios
Lucas Davis, a faculty affiliate at the Energy Institute at Haas, is quoted in Axios discussing the steady rise in electricity for home heating. This steady rise goes with little to no policy intervention. Davis discusses possible solutions that help fight against global warming.
Coming Clean
December 14, 2020
Haas Newsroom
Reed Walker, Faculty Affiliate at the Energy Institute, is cited in the Haas Newsroom examining racial disparities in pollution exposure. More research is being put into environmental inequality, finding that the gap in average pollution exposure between Black and White Americans is shrinking.
Cap and Trade-Offs
October 19, 2020
Grist
Meredith Fowlie, Faculty Director of the Energy Institute, is quoted in Grist regarding environmental justice concerns that will be affected by November’s election. It’s not a question of whether or not climate change is a critical issue for the elections but a when. In hopes of other states following California’s lead, successful environmental policy will ultimately alleviate the burdens faced by marginalized communities.
California Blackouts Caused Largely by Poor Planning, Preliminary Report Finds
October 9, 2020
KTVU
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director of the Energy Institute, talks to KTVU about the recent blackouts findings. As a result of the electricity shut down by the California Independent System Operator, it was discovered that some generators sent power out of the state and apparently this is not unusual.
Photo Shows Real Gas Prices During Obama-Biden Administration, but That’s Not the Whole Story
September 30, 2020
PolitiFact
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director of the Energy Institute, spoke with PolitiFact on the fluctuation in gas prices during the recent presidency terms. Severin clarifies that presidents don’t have that much influence over gas, as opposed to what recent social media images seem to indicate on high gas costs during the Obama administration.
Sell Me Your Climate Bombs
September 25, 2020
NPR
A type of greenhouse gas known as R12 refrigerant, is being banned due to its lethal effects on the atmosphere. The NPR Planet Money Podcast talks with Meredith Fowlie, Energy Institute Faculty Director, on the growing market of carbon offset credit.
Pros and Cons of Gas Power Plants
September 23, 2020
KCRW
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, discusses with KCRW whether or not the state is making a good decision on keeping some gas power plants open in order to maintain California’s power grid.
UC Climate Experts Warn California Wildfires, Extreme Weather Events Will Get Worse
September 10, 2020
KPIX
Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate, Maximilian Auffhammer, talks to KPIX about the intense heat and fires that have taken over California. Auffhammer and other experts, have predicted climate change for decades and warn us about this ‘new normal’.
Heat Wave Strain on State’s Power Grid and PG&E’s Warning
September 10, 2020
KPIX
With the high temperatures and fires, KQED seeks the expertise of Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director. In their recent interview, they examine how power lines affect public safety power shutoffs, as well as energy shortages caused by rolling blackouts.
Rolling Blackouts: What Oaklanders Need to Know, and What to Expect
August 21, 2020
The Oaklandside and Berkeleyside
Recent power shutoffs mandated by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) took the Bay Area by surprise. The Oaklandside taps into Energy Institute experts, Lucas Davis and Andrew Campbell to learn more about these efforts to help stabilize the power grid.
Equity and Electricity: Race Gap in Household Energy Use, with Eva Lyubich
August 18, 2020
Resources for the Future Podcast and Texas Public Radio
On a recent Resources for the Future Podcast, Energy Institute Graduate Student Researcher, Eva Lyubich discusses her working paper on energy efficiency disparities in black households. Eva stresses the importance of understanding these inequities in order to help bridge the gap.
Who Turned Off the Lights? Heat Puts the Squeeze on California's Power Grid
August 18, 2020
NBC Los Angeles, The Fresno Bee, and More
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director of the Energy Institute, shares with NBC Los Angeles his proposed solution to avoid a power grid overload during the heat wave.
Wild Bay Area Weather Expected to Continue Overnight Sunday With Lightning, Gusty Winds and Fires
August 15, 2020
The San Francisco Chronicle
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that extreme weather could continue to threaten electricity demands. Energy Institute Faculty Director, Severin Borenstein, explains the reason for increased electricity demands and what lies ahead.
U.S. Nears ‘Energy Independence’ Trump Promised During 2016 Campaign
August 15, 2020
The San Francisco Chronicle
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that extreme weather could continue to threaten electricity demands. Energy Institute Faculty Director, Severin Borenstein, explains the reason for increased electricity demands and what lies ahead.
U.S. Nears ‘Energy Independence’ Trump Promised During 2016 Campaign
July 15, 2020
PolitiFact
PolitiFact examines President Trump’s promise in 2016 that the U.S. will become “energy independent”. Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, discusses what energy independence would look like, and it isn’t the production of more energy as one would assume.
California’s Gas Tax Is Going Up Again. You Should Be Pleased.
June 25, 2020
Los Angeles Times
Severin Borenstein, Energy Institute Faculty Director, discusses gas tax increases with the Los Angeles Times; sharing that prior to COVID-19, the average gas use in California would normally amount to one gallon a day.
Soot Rule Thrusts EPA Into Spotlight on Race
June 12, 2020
E&E News
E&E News discusses Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate, Reed Walker’s paper on particulate matter exposure disparities across the country. Walker’s research is highlighted in response to EPA’s proposal for regulating costs & benefits of climate and air pollution, which in turn could affect minority communities.
Shrinking Fossil Fuel Demand Could Hit California's Cap-And-Trade Auction
May 18, 2020
Utility Dive
Amid stay-at-home policies caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, California has seen a reduced demand for fossil fuels. Energy Institute Faculty Director, Severin Borenstein, estimates that this weak demand may pose a risk to the next cap-and-trade auction.
How Global Trade Pacts Award ‘Subsidies’ for Climate Pollution
May 4, 2020
Bloomberg, Axios, and More
A new working paper by Joseph Shapiro, Energy Institute Faculty Affiliate, finds that several countries have unequal rates for dirty versus clean carbon industries, Bloomberg reports.
Oil Prices Fall Into Negative Territory
April 21, 2020
KTVU, The San Diego Union Tribune, and More
The oil industry experiences a major setback this week as demand remains low and prices decline. KTVU interviews Energy Institute Faculty Director Severin Borenstein, to discuss how this may impact companies and the economy.
Will Your Electricity Bill Go Up If You’re Working From Home?
March 26, 2020
Quartz
Amid the Coronavirus pandemic, many employees are working from home. Energy Institute Faculty Director, Severin Borenstein, estimates how much higher bills might be.
PG&E Inks Deal With Governor, Opening Path Out of Bankruptcy
March 23, 2020
Energywire
Governor Newsom reached a deal with PG&E on its reorganization, which could include a state takeover if the utility does not emerge from bankruptcy on schedule. Energywire spoke with Andrew Campbell, Energy Institute Executive Director, about the significance of the agreement.
Hotels Seek $150 Billion in Aid as Travel Plummets - March 2020
March 17, 2020
The Wall Street Journal
Travel industry is seeking a government bailout during the coronavirus crisis, the Wall Street Journal reports. Energy Institute Faculty Director, Severin Borenstein, believes that bailout funds would unfortunately go to the industry shareholders rather than its workers.
Coronavirus Effect: California Gas Prices to Drop Amid Turmoil
March 10, 2020
The San Francisco Chronicle
The San Francisco Chronicle investigates how Coronavirus is affecting the drop in gas prices. While consumers may be happy about this decrease, Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director of the Energy Institute, says this may not stay this way for very long.
Fossil Fuel Use Bumps Up GHG Emissions for First Time in 13 Years
February 24, 2020
S&P Global Platts
S&P Global Platts discusses Meredith Fowlie‘s blog post from the Energy Institute Blog in which she evaluates the increase in CO2 emissions over the past few years.
California Could Take Over PG&E Under A Proposed Bill. But Could The Plan Work?
February 6, 2020
Capital Public Radio
As Pacific Gas & Electric submits a Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization, Capital Public Radio outlines the potential for California to take control of PG&E. Faculty Director Severin Borenstein questions whether PG&E can get out of bankruptcy and describes the possibilities if the state intervenes.
As The Costs Of Germany’s Nuclear Phase Out Mount, Little Appetite For A Rethink
January 11, 2020
Forbes, Financial Times, and More
Forbes references a paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) about the after-math of nuclear power plant shut-downs in Germany. Co-author and Graduate Student Researcher Stephen Jarvis, brings awareness specifically to air pollution and describes how damaging it can be.
Solar Panels Will Soon Be Required For Newly Constructed Homes In California
December 16, 2019
KPIX
KPIX reports that starting January 1st, 2020, all newly built homes in California will require solar rooftop panels. Faculty Director Severin Borenstein expresses some concerns, but says that if we want people to be invested this has to remain affordable.
Power for the People: How Should Governments Develop Electric Grids?
November 21, 2019
The Oxford Policy Management Blog
Graduate Researcher Susanna Berkouwer examines her work with the Economic Development & Institutions on governments optimizing electricity programs. In the Oxford Policy Management Blog, she says that over a billion people currently live without access to electricity in their homes – specifically in rural areas of Africa.
Gov. Newsom Floated The Idea Of A State Takeover Of PG&E. How Would That Look And How Would It Impact Customers?
November 5, 2019
KPCC
Governor Newsom considers a state takeover if PG&E is unable to manage its utility operations. Severin Borenstein says on KPCC that this is an area that should certainly be explored, as the state steps in when it comes to other natural disasters – but this has not been the case thus far when it comes to electricity.
Millions Are Out of Power in California, But Were the PG&E Shutoffs Necessary?
October 16, 2019
PBS, San Francisco Chronicle, and More
Severin Borenstein, Faculty Director of the Energy Institute describes the difference between transmission lines and local distribution lines, and how PG&E had mostly conducted shutoffs in rural areas as opposed to urban areas up to recently. Borenstein tells PBS that PG&E should have had a better communication plan in place.
Should the State Take Control of Wildfire Blackouts?
October 23, 2019
PoliticoPro
Following the recent wildfires and PG&E shutdowns, industry experts believe that the state should begin managing grids. Andrew Campbell, Executive Director of the Energy Institute tells PoliticoPro that the government might not only keep the customer in mind first, but that they would have greater insight on the best timing for the shutdowns.
Should Electric Vehicle Drivers Pay Per Mile?
July 24, 2019
CityLab and Pacific Standard
Government coffers are taking a hit as drivers switch to electric vehicles and avoid paying gasoline taxes. CityLab features a recent working paper that looks at this issue by Faculty Lucas Davis and James Sallee. The researchers ask whether or not electric vehicle drivers should pay a mileage tax instead. Davis and Sallee explain how this may not be so simple after all.
Electricity Does Not Change Poor Lives as Much as We Thought
February 12, 2019
The Economist
The Economist references a study that Faculty Affiliate Catherine Wolfram did on electrifying rural Kenya. Wolfram addresses the importance of aiding households by providing them connection to electricity grids for free or at various discounts, but questions whether its results are impactful enough to solve the long-term problem.