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Cal Matters
calmatters. org > commentary > 2026 > 07 > electric-costs-utility-budget-california

Opinion | Lowering California's high utility costs takes more than flashy slogans. It needs these reforms

1+ hour, 35+ min ago  (617+ words) Travis Ritchie is an energy and climate research fellow at the Center for Law, Energy and the Environment at UC Berkeley. As Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton head into the California general election for governor, each campaign has promised quick…...

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Cal Matters
calmatters. org > commentary > reader-reactions > 2026 > 05 > critics-california-rooftop-solar-costs

Opinion | Critics of California's rooftop solar program get the affordability story wrong

2+ mon, 2+ day ago  (185+ words) Join us at the Cal Matters Ideas Festival on May 21. " Get your tickets now. Angela Lipanovich is an attorney at Estriatus Law and lives in Santa Cruz. Jenny Folkesson is the executive director of Solar WAVE Action. Re: "Californians" electric…...

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Cal Matters
calmatters. org > environment > 2026 > 04 > newsom-aviation-fuel-credit-refinery

A jet fuel subsidy could tap funds meant for California roads

3+ mon, 1+ day ago  (1719+ words) Join us at the Cal Matters Ideas Festival on May 21. " Get your tickets now. Gov. Gavin Newsom is advancing a plan that could funnel hundreds of millions in road dollars to a struggling oil refinery " pitching it as a cleaner…...

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Cal Matters
calmatters. org > environment > 2026 > 02 > newsom-ev-rebates-automakers-trump

Trump canceled EV incentives. Newsom has a $200 million plan to make up for it

5+ mon, 6+ day ago  (545+ words) New budget language lays out how Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to structure a $200 million electric vehicle rebate program, including price caps, automaker matching funds and a focus on first-time buyers. Californians could get instant rebates on electric vehicle purchases under…...

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Cal Matters
calmatters. org > environment > climate-change > 2026 > 01 > california-ev-rebates-trump

How many EV cars can a $200 million rebate help California buy? Not enough, warn some.

5+ mon, 2+ week ago  (985+ words) California Gov. Gavin Newsom's $200 million proposal to revive the state's EV market would reach only a fraction of buyers, raising fresh questions about who should benefit and whether limited incentives can meaningfully move a slowing market. California Gov. Gavin Newsom's…...

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Cal Matters
calmatters. org > environment > 2025 > 09 > when-lithium-mining-starts-who-benefits-and-whos-at-risk-inside-this-salton-sea-case

When lithium mining starts, who benefits, and who's at risk? Inside this Salton Sea case.

9+ mon, 3+ week ago  (925+ words) Two non-profits filed arguments with the Fourth District Court of Appeal last week, asking the court to reconsider a claim they filed in 2024 that the environmental impact report for the Hell's Kitchen lithium mine near the Salton Sea neglects potential…...

Cal Matters
calmatters. org > commentary > 2025 > 08 > cap-and-trade-renewal-fraught

Renewal of California cap-and-trade program to cut emissions is fraught with issues | Opinion

10+ mon, 2+ week ago  (652+ words) This story is part of California Voices, a commentary forum aiming to broaden our understanding of the state and spotlight Californians directly impacted by policy or its absence. Learn more here. While the Capitol is fixated on Gov. Gavin Newsom's…...

Cal Matters
calmatters. org > politics > 2025 > 08 > california-kills-jay-leno-classic-car-smog-bill

Jay Leno couldn't persuade California lawmakers to give classic car owners a smog break

10+ mon, 1+ week ago  (826+ words) California's Assembly Appropriations Committee killed "Leno's Law" that aimed to give classic car owners like him a pass from smog requirements. Jay Leno's star power wasn't enough to persuade a California legislative committee to pass a measure to allow owners…...

Cal Matters
calmatters. org > economy > 2025 > 08 > california-supreme-court-rules-on-net-metering-cuts

California Supreme Court hands victory to rooftop solar panel owners

11+ mon, 2+ day ago  (268+ words) Justices told a lower court to revisit their decision to uphold cuts of 75 percent to payments for solar panel owners. The California Supreme Court today sided with environmental groups in a case seen as pivotal for the proliferation of rooftop…...