RMI Outlet
Plug Into New Ideas
California Flattens Rate Blocks, Rolls Out Default Time-of-use Pricing
California’s three largest investor-owned utilities will soon go through a major electricity rate reform, replacing the four-tier structure with a two-tier or a three-tier structure. While this would seem to discourage conservation and efficiency, new default time-of-use rates could change the entire equation.
A California Community Shoots for the Moon: Palo Alto Considers Carbon Neutrality
Palo Alto (pop. 66,000), the heart of Silicon Valley and regional birthplace of Google, is eyeing today’s version of reaching the moon—becoming the first carbon-neutral city in the United States.
No Californian Left Behind: Clean and Affordable Transportation for All
States and countries everywhere are experimenting with different ways to transform transportation systems and reduce reliance on oil. California especially is generally ahead of the curve, so it’s important to watch how the country’s most populous state deals with different pieces of the transportation puzzle.
Thou Shalt Store
Solar PV has been the belle of the ball when it comes to distributed energy resources of late. But from microgrids in Maryland to NRG’s solar pergola, battery storage is increasingly entering the conversation, too. Now, California’s new energy storage mandate, AB 2514, is pushing the issue further.
California Says “Yes” to more Energy Efficiency and Renewables
While the November elections—and the flurry of political ads that preceded them—may already seem a distant memory, there’s still much to talk about when it comes to energy.