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America’s colleges and universities are positioned to lead the transition to 100 percent renewable energy, according to a report released today by UCLA CALPIRG Students. The report stresses that a complete shift to clean, renewable energy is the best way for colleges and universities to achieve their carbon reduction goals and highlights schools across the country that are taking measures to make the transition to renewable energy

With federal climate and clean energy programs facing an uncertain future, California Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León has introduced legislation to commit the Golden State to meet 100 percent of its electricity needs with renewable energy by 2045

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) finalized the first phase of theDesert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) on public lands, a conservation strategy developed by the state of California, the federal government and conservation stakeholders, including Defenders of Wildlife. The plan identifies smart from the start areas for renewable energy development that avoids or minimizes adverse effects on wildlife.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced its annual Green Power Leadership Awards to seven businesses across California. “These organizations demonstrate that green power is an affordable investment that provides reliable energy while fighting global warming.”

The White House and Federal Housing Administration (FHA) released statements indicating that they are preparing new Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) guidance designed to “remove existing barriers and accelerate the use of PACE financing for single family housing.” The White House Fact Sheet on the initiative may be found here

For the tenth year running, schools from the Alliance to Save Energy’s (Alliance) PowerSave Campus Program are being honored with 2015 Best Practice Awards for their energy efficiency work by the California Higher Education Sustainability Conference (CHESC).

The grants will help California respond to the immediate drought while building resiliency to cope with future droughts and climate change. They are DWR’s first grants using proceeds from California’s cap-and-trade program for combating climate change.

Homes and businesses with solar panels deliver more value to power customers and society than they receive through programs like net metering, a report said today, countering increasing complaints from utilities that solar homeowners don’t pay their fair share

Advanced Microgrid Solutions (AMS) announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Shell Energy North America (Shell Energy) to install up to 20 Megawatts (MWs) of battery storage at Shell Energy commercial, industrial and utility customer sites throughout California

New Buildings Institute (NBI) has announced the addition of Nancy Jenkins, manager of DSM Strategy and Compliance at Southern California Edison (SCE), as the newest member of the organization’s Board of Directors. Ms. Jenkins is currently responsible for leading development and implementation of the overall strategy for SCE’s energy efficiency, demand response and customer solar program portfolio. Prior to joining the utility, she supported public policy at the California Energy Commission

An amendment authored by Congressman McClintock and a bi-partisan amendment co-authored with Congressman Jared Huffman have been adopted by the House of Representatives to H.R. 2685 - FY16 Department of Defense Appropriations Act.

The California State Senate and Assembly took a critical step towards building a clean energy future by passing out of their houses of origin several significant bills that will continue California’s climate change leadership. The Senate bills will now move over to the Assembly for consideration and vice versa.

the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development approved fiscal year 2016 funding legislation that totals $35.4 billion in discretionary budget authority, which is $1.2 billion more than the fiscal year 2015 level and $666 million less than the President’s requested level

"As we in the San Joaquin Valley know first-hand, water is a top priority. This legislation provides funding for drought relief and infrastructure projects, accelerates timelines for vital water storage development projects that have languished for decades, and places limits on how much water the Bureau of Reclamation can divert from cities and farms, all of which protect and enhance California’s access to water supplies during the drought

Earlier today, Congressman Ami Bera, M.D., offered the final amendment to the energy and water funding bill for fiscal year 2016 (H.R. 2028) to bring more emergency drought relief to California families, farmers, and small businesses. The amendment also sought to help communities modernize their water infrastructure to use their water more efficiently and prepare for future droughts. Click here to watch his remarks supporting the amendment on the House floor.

The first provision, offered by Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) instructs the Bureau of Reclamation to finish and submit feasibility studies for three dam expansion projects and two dam creation proposals within the State of California. Congress authorized each of the five studies over a decade ago. This specific provision sets in place hard deadlines and forbids the agency from continuing to stall on these critical decisions

Environment California applauds Governor Jerry Brown for issuing an executive order today to establish a statewide greenhouse gas reduction (GHG) target of 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. Environment California's Clean Energy Advocate Michelle Kinman released the following statement in response:

Washington, DC - August 19, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Emphasizing the vast potential of solar energy in California’s 45th District, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today praised an agreement between First Solar and Southern California Edison that will bring new solar energy projects to the region. The two large-scale installations, among the biggest of their kind, will be built in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties and will produce enough energy to power approximately 170,000 homes