Policy Practicum: Buildings in the Energy Transition: Resilient, Clean and Just

Catalog description

Clients: Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN), Communities for a Better Environment (CBE) as well as legislative and California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) decision makers. California is a leader in establishing aggressive targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increase zero-carbon energy generation. To meet its ambitious goals, California must implement a just energy transition that is founded in equity and that actively promotes environmental justice. This policy lab will work to address two pressing issues at the forefront of a zero-carbon energy transition: the ability of utilities to equitably, efficiently, and safely transition natural gas infrastructure and scale up electrification, and the ongoing reform of California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). Utilities have an obligation to provide essential services to all residents in their service territory, and this currently includes both natural gas and electric service in most areas. The original intention was to ensure equitable access to all consumers, but this obligation can now pose a barrier to electrifying homes, neighborhoods, and the state in an efficient and just manner. Legislators, utilities, and other stakeholders are cautious about widespread decommissioning of natural gas infrastructure until there is a legal architecture in place to ensure that equitable, reliable, and sufficient service is maintained to all customers. We are recognized leaders in the legal and regulatory issues associated with the obligation to serve in California and this policy lab will work to develop solutions in concert with EJ groups and state legislators. The LCFS is one of the key measures intended by California to drive innovation in reducing GHG emissions. This program was implemented in 2011 with the goal of stimulating a cellulosic biofuel industry and has been significantly amended over…