Powering California Project
Caltech Energy Scholar Dr. Nate Lewis keynotes
The Powering California Project was launched to provide policy makers and leaders in all sectors, the media, and the public with an objective analysis of the critical energy challenges facing California. The Communications Institute joined with the Viterbi School of Engineering and the School of Policy, Planning, and Development to develop the programs beginning with an initial conference in 2006.
Energy has been a vital part of California's economy since the 1800's when oil was first developed which resulted in the state being one of the largest producers of oil in the United States. A century later, the state became a leader in efforts to conserve energy and develop new forms. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory pioneered early research in nuclear energy and renewables have been a more recent focus of the state. California has always been a leader but it has also now led in the development of regulations to restrict CO2 emissions in order to combat global climate change. As with most policy decisions, there are costs for regulations with increased costs to business and consumers.
Powering California is not an advocacy project but rather one focused on providing objective analysis through which intelligent decisions can be made.
Powering California Study & Forum - State legislators, current and former, came together with leaders in government and business plus others interested in sustainability at a special energy forum at USC on November 10th to openly discuss the realities of the energy challenges facing California. They were joined by scholars from Stanford University, Sandia National Laboratory, USC, Caltech and other academic/research centers. The new study Powering California sponsored by The Communications Institute was presented and served as the basis for much of the discussion.
DOWNLOAD POWERING CALIFORNIA STUDY
Energy has been a vital part of California's economy since the 1800's when oil was first developed which resulted in the state being one of the largest producers of oil in the United States. A century later, the state became a leader in efforts to conserve energy and develop new forms. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory pioneered early research in nuclear energy and renewables have been a more recent focus of the state. California has always been a leader but it has also now led in the development of regulations to restrict CO2 emissions in order to combat global climate change. As with most policy decisions, there are costs for regulations with increased costs to business and consumers.
Powering California is not an advocacy project but rather one focused on providing objective analysis through which intelligent decisions can be made.
Powering California Study & Forum - State legislators, current and former, came together with leaders in government and business plus others interested in sustainability at a special energy forum at USC on November 10th to openly discuss the realities of the energy challenges facing California. They were joined by scholars from Stanford University, Sandia National Laboratory, USC, Caltech and other academic/research centers. The new study Powering California sponsored by The Communications Institute was presented and served as the basis for much of the discussion.
DOWNLOAD POWERING CALIFORNIA STUDY
The study received statewide coverage. You can review the following by clicking on these links:
- Los Angeles Times .
- NBC News Los Angeles
- Annenburg-USC News Service
- More USC Coverage
- USC Forum Overview
Despite the recession and the dramatic economic problems facing the state, the California economy will rebound and require energy to sustain future growth. The report documents the continued population growth of the California population which will require more energy. Therefore, a sufficient energy supply for residential, commercial and industrial purposes is critical for the future. The big questions are how much energy will the state need in the future, what will it cost, and what are the best sources for the future are included in the study. Another important question is can developing a sufficient energy supply also contribute to growing the state's economy providing more jobs and revenue.
Powering California Study
The new report Powering California was presented by the reseachers as part of the program. The study includes two reports with one that quantifies the economic trade-offs associated with a variety energy supply and efficiency strategies. The other is a synthesis of many recent studies done on the subject by other research or academic institutions plus a complete summary of data from United States Energy Information Administration.
Powering California also notes the importance of continuing renewable energy development along with a recognition that the state, if not the world, will need fossil fuel and traditional forms of energy for decades to come to meet the increasing demand for energy.
Powering California Study
The new report Powering California was presented by the reseachers as part of the program. The study includes two reports with one that quantifies the economic trade-offs associated with a variety energy supply and efficiency strategies. The other is a synthesis of many recent studies done on the subject by other research or academic institutions plus a complete summary of data from United States Energy Information Administration.
Powering California also notes the importance of continuing renewable energy development along with a recognition that the state, if not the world, will need fossil fuel and traditional forms of energy for decades to come to meet the increasing demand for energy.
Authors/Researchers - Dr. Timothy Considine, Director of the Center on Energy Economics and Public Policy Professor of Energy Economics at the University of Wyoming, and former Professor of Economics at Penn State oversaw the original research portion of the Powering California Project. He has conducted similar studies for the World Bank and the State of Israel and worked for the Congressional Budget Office. Additional research has been undertaken with the assistance of Dr. Craig Smith, former Deputy Director of the Energy Directorate of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories, and Kevin Hopkins, a UCLA trained economist who works with Bloomberg Businessweek.
The School of Policy Planning and Development and The Viterbi School of Engineering of the University of Southern California, Sandia National Laboratories, and The Communications Institute cosponsored the Powering California forum. The USC Energy Institute and the Keston Institute on Public Finance based at assisted also in the development of project and will work together with TCI on future programs.
Powering California Forum - The first project forum was the November 10, 2011 on the campus of the University of Southern California for an invited group of leaders and media. For information call (818) 349-5555. Other forums will be held in other parts of California.
Download the photo montage of forum.
Powering California Sponsors
- School of Policy, Planning, and Development
- Keston Institute for Public Finance and Infrastructure Policy
- Viterbi School of Engineering
- USC Energy Institute
The Communications Institute