News

Submitted on March 12, 2024 - 10am

VXNews shares an excerpt from "Ten Across Conversations," a podcast series hosted by Duke Reiter which engages environmental reporter Rosanna Xia, delving into the urgent challenges facing California's coastline. The episode addresses the unique threats of massive waves battering the West Coast, emphasizing the pressing need for the state to prepare for significant sea level rise within the next 30 years. Xia, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, draws from her on-the-ground experiences and her book, "California Against the Sea: Visions for Our Vanishing Coastline." The conversation navigates the complexities of terms like "managed retreat" and explores the philosophical debate between prioritizing property value and life safety in the context of climate change.

Adel Hagekhalil
Submitted on March 4, 2024 - 11am

At the forefront of shaping the water landscape in Southern California, TPR interviewed Adel Hagekhalil, the General Manager and CEO of the Metropolitan Water District. With a keen focus on resilience and collaboration, Adel introduced the concept of "One Water" to the agency upon assuming his leadership position, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive water management strategies in the face of climate change. Under his guidance, Metropolitan has embarked on ambitious projects to secure water supplies for millions of residents, while also ensuring equitable access and environmental sustainability.

Michael DiBernardo
Submitted on March 4, 2024 - 11am

A Japan-California Hydrogen online Webinar in early February was hosted by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California. The event’s goal: to connect California organizations with the Japanese government and Japanese companies working in the hydrogen space. Presentations focus on the California Hydrogen Hub project and include remarks by key stakeholders in California and presentations by the Japanese government and Japanese companies in the field. VX News here shares a transcript of the remarks of Michael DiBernardo, POLA’s deputy Executive of Marketing and Customer Relations.

James Butts
Submitted on March 4, 2024 - 11am

Recently it was announced that the city of Inglewood would be the recipient of a $1 billion-dollar federal investment for the Inglewood Transit Connector project. In this exclusive VX News interview, Inglewood’s Mayor, James Butts, provides an update on Inglewood's 1.6-mile people mover project. Emphasizing the project's broader impact on the local and regional economy, given multiple international events already booked through 2029, Mayor Butts challenges the miss-perception of who will use mass transit, envisioning Inglewood as a globally attractive sports and entertainment capital. Reflecting on Inglewood's transformative & successful economic recovery, Mayor Butts also shares a vision for the city's 2030 legacy, highlighting generational wealth creation and renewed infrastructure investments.

Tyson Eckerle
Submitted on February 27, 2024 - 12am

Over the years, the state of California has consistently positioned itself at the forefront of clean energy initiatives, recognizing the potential of hydrogen as a key player in the sustainable energy landscape. Now, as the ARCHES project has emerged as a cornerstone of California's hydrogen strategy, underwritten by up to $1.2 billion in federal funding, California aims to accelerate the development of its hydrogen hubs, creating a robust ecosystem that aligns with its vision for a sustainable energy market. In a presentation during a Japan-California hydrogen webinar, GO-Biz’ Tyson Eckerle outlines how the state aims to establish a statewide hydrogen market by 2030. Eckerle highlights reduced emissions, substantial health cost savings, and the creation of over 220,000 jobs.

Dr. Jimmy Chen
Submitted on February 27, 2024 - 12am

In early February, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California hosted a Japan-California Hydrogen online Webinar. This event’s aim was to connect California organizations with the Japanese government and Japanese companies working in the hydrogen space. Presentations focused on the California Hydrogen Hub project and included remarks by key stakeholders in California and presentations by the Japanese government and Japanese companies in the field. VX News here shares a transcript of the remarks of Dr. Jimmy Chen, Managing Director, SECA - Stanford Energy Corporate Affiliates, Precourt Institute for Energy initiatives.

Liam Denning
Submitted on February 27, 2024 - 12am

VX News shares, with permission, this opinion piece written by Liam Denning for Bloomberg which highlights the the dilemma faced by gas utilities, as their profits traditionally relied on expanding demand, which is now plateauing, especially outside the power sector. Denning suggests that the industry needs to undergo a fundamental shift in its business model, moving from being pipeline builders to becoming energy system insurance providers.

Earl Blumenauer
Submitted on January 18, 2024 - 10pm

Earl Blumenauer, in an exclusive and instructive interview with The Planning Report, surveys his distinguished 50 years in elected office, including 14 terms of representing Oregon's 3rd Congressional District. A political veteran trailblazer in bipartisan collaboration, Blumenauer, who recently announced his retirement rather than seeking a 15th term, reflects on his decision-making process, noting a desire going forward to focus on impactful civilian work outside of Washington, DC. Our conversation spans his truly prolific livable communities & transportation legislative achievements, including last session’s Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, which he rightfully believes signify a transformative era for American infrastructure.

Mayor Bass
Submitted on January 18, 2024 - 10pm

With the Port of Los Angeles set to receive 233 million dollars in state infrastructure grants, as well as being one of the recipients of 1.2 billion dollars of federal funding being put forth to develop California’s hydrogen hub, Mayor Bass and Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of LA, each recently offered stakeholders a POLA progress report. In their annual addresses, Mayor Bass and Seroka highlighted their Port priorities for the coming year: job creation, increasing container volume, and pushing towards a zero emissions port.

Jigar Shah
Submitted on January 18, 2024 - 10pm

Through its $400 billion in loan authority mandated from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office (LPO) is playing a pivotal role in onshoring and commercializing clean energy technology in America. The LPO's commitment to financing innovative projects, reducing emissions, and fostering economic growth has led to $17 billion in loans committed in 2023 and $175 billion in loans requested overall. The conditional commitments and emphasis on private sector collaboration demonstrate a forward-thinking approach where public funds are multiplied by private sector investment to achieve goals around domestic clean energy production and decarbonization. It's heartening to see the LPO's dedication to community benefits and job creation as a part of an inclusive growth strategy for our country. We should look forward to witnessing the LPO's continued impact in 2024 and beyond, as it plays a crucial role in shaping a clean, secure, and more prosperous America.

Chelsea Sexton
Submitted on December 21, 2023 - 11am

As the Bipartisan Infrastructure Reduction Act continues to spur and invest in America’s infrastructure – most especially, its many renewable and cleantech projects – the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program (ATVM), best known in its early days for its massive 456 million dollar loan to Tesla, has been revived and has been loaning billions of dollars into projects related to domestic vehicle manufacturing, including medium and heavy duty efforts. VX News shares an excerpt from a recent LACI & Milken sponsored event, featuring Senior Advisor for DOE Arnab Pal speaking with ATVM Loan Program Manager, Chelsea Sexton. The conversation covered the logistics of building and supporting the future of advanced vehicle production, as well as both the pursuit of domestic security in manufacturing, and the many supply chain challenges in need of addressing.

Vamsi Kotla
Submitted on December 21, 2023 - 11am

To inform readers on the challenges and the potential of the modular housing industry, VX News shares the take of Vamsi Kumar Kotla, founder and CEO of LA-based modular homebuilding company, ReMo Homes. Kotla provides his valuable insight into the obstacles that modular home builders are facing, and how those obstacles could be overcome.

Mark Pestrella
Submitted on December 21, 2023 - 11am

The LA River is 50 miles long of, mostly, undeveloped land which touches 17 different municipalities. Many interested constituencies, for years, have hoped to take advantage of the potential opportunities of the waterway. In 1996, LA County developed its first master plan to address these opportunities. The plan, which was last updated in 2022, includes many goals, among them flood control, more parks and recreation, affordable housing and river access. VX News presents this excerpt from a ULI panel moderated by SOMOS founder Alfred Fraijo, featuring Mark Pestrella, the director of LA County Public Works, who updates the Plan’s buildout, the history of the waterway, civic engagement of stakeholders, governance issues, and the sheer amount of potential to be found along the LA River.

Elise Zoli
Submitted on December 12, 2023 - 12pm

In Mid November at CoMotion LA, Michael Galvin of the Port of LA and Elise Zoli of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati shared valuable insights into the promise and significance of the seven newly funded hydrogen hubs. What follows is a transcript of the dialogue between Moderator John Rossant and the two panelists. The panel not only highlights the National Hydrogen Hubs awards goals', but also touches upon: the quest for zero-emission alternatives to battery electric, port decarbonization, the challenge of scaling demand, and the need for a consistent regulatory framework.

Ted Bardacke
Submitted on December 12, 2023 - 12pm

VX News, to inform our readers, spoke with Ted Bardacke, CEO of Clean Power Alliance, on the role that CCAs (Community Choice Aggregates) are playing in successfully bringing renewables to everyday power users and the regulatory decisions framing how consumers are being offered both greater choice re how their needs are met and more affordable electric rates. Bardacke also elaborates on CPA’s recent deal with SunZia, a massive wind farm project in New Mexico that will bring 3000 megawatts of wind energy to California; and, why the state should not abandon efforts to unify the power grids of the Western States.

Mayor Karen Bass
Submitted on December 12, 2023 - 12pm

This week, Mayor Karen Bass held a press conference to reflect on her first year in office as the City of Los Angeles' Mayor. VX News here shares a transcript to the Mayor’s full address and comments. In her address, the Mayor offered a progress report on her many initiatives: the Inside Safe program, her office’s executive directives “streamlining” affordable housing development, the commitments being made to building a green economy, as well as her many public safety initiatives.

Nancy Sutley
Submitted on December 12, 2023 - 12pm

At a panel at CoMotionLA’s recent convening in Los Angeles, featured panelists discussed just what their ideal next five years for the city might look like. VX News provides an excerpt of the panelist’s comments, including those offered by: Nancy Sutley, LA’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Hilary Norton, Commissioner of the California Transport Commission, Nik Karalis, CEO of Woods Bagot, and John Rossant, CEO of CoMotion. Amongst the topics discussed are sustainability and housing policy challenges; the future of mobility; public safety; and an Olympics 2028 wish-list.

Andrew Rogers, FHA
Submitted on November 29, 2023 - 12am

David Abel, Chairman of VerdeXchange moderated a CoMotionLA panel that included Lynda Tran, DOT Director of Public Engagement and Andrew Rogers, FHA's Deputy Administrator, as well as TAE Power Solution's Rob Capaldi, and Petersen Automotive historian Leslie Kendell on the rapidly approaching transition. Panelists addressed the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program ($5 billion), the Discretionary Grant Program for Charging and Fueling Infrastructure ($2.5 billion), as well as the challenges of unifying the states re: standards.

Bill Rouse
Submitted on November 29, 2023 - 12am

Since the advent of Uber, Lyft, and other Transportation Network Companies (TNC’s), taxi businesses like Los Angeles Yellow Cab have been exploring ways to reinvent their business models and claim back lost revenue from their new, less regulated competitors. Over the last decade, with the passage of AB1069 which eased regulatory burdens on Taxis and a pivot to more contract work, taxi cabs have begun to recover. On the other side of the street, TNCs are now looking to fill the gaps in their own service by teaming up with the once-upon-a-time enemy cab companies, with Uber and LA Yellow Cab being the most recent of those collaborations. VX News spoke with Bill Rouse, CEO of Southern California taxi operations, about his new partnership and the collaborative benefits to be seen by taxi operators. Rouse also addresses the taxi industry future, the not-so-threatening robotaxi business, and future groundside operations at LAX.

Wellington Reiter
Submitted on November 20, 2023 - 10am

The I-10 freeway, which stretches from California to Florida, passes through the U.S. Sun Belt and, along its way, many of the United State’s largest and most impactful urban cities, among them Los Angeles, Phoenix, Houston, and New Orleans -- cities which are simultaneously facing record homelessness, unprecedented weather, and housing crises. VX News recently interviewed Wellington Reiter, founder of 10 Across, a thought network committed to fostering sun belt city collaborations along the Interstate-10. Reiter elaborates on: an upcoming Los Angeles 10 Across Summit (Dec 5-7th); as well as ASU in DTLA; and of the obvious need for civic minded people addressing the nation’s challenges: water, climate mitigation, energy transition, resilience, affordable housing and governance.