Save-the-date for VX2025
April 6 - 9
in Los Angeles
New LADWP Board President Richard Katz shares his insights on the priorities and future direction of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), the challenges the department faces in ensuring infrastructure resilience, and his role in guiding the utility through an era of increasing environmental and technological pressures.
Yusef Robb from tk/Communications discusses two heavy rail alternatives for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project and the potential to transform regional mobility by connecting the San Fernando Valley to the Westside and beyond through a network of integrated transit options.
Ara Najarian, recently elected as President of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority (BGPAA), updates readers on the status of the Hollywood Burbank Airport’s long-awaited, replacement passenger terminal project.
Christine Harada discusses the administration's investment in grid resilience and innovation, the impact of the CHIPS and Science Act on advancing semiconductor technologies, and the importance of modernizing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
House Republicans' resistance to green spending is waning as they face the economic impact of green investments in their districts. Speaker Mike Johnson received a letter from 18 GOP members urging him to preserve clean technology subsidies in the Inflation Reduction Act, despite many having opposed it. Their concern is that dismantling these subsidies could lead to lost jobs and unfinished projects in their areas. With a significant share of the IRA’s $200 billion investment and job growth slated for Republican districts, these members are balancing ideological stances with economic realities, especially in competitive or moderate districts.
Stephan Tucker, General Manager of the Water Replenishment District (WRD), details the district's core mission of safeguarding groundwater quantity and quality across southern LA County. Established in 1959 to combat depleted groundwater basins and seawater intrusion, WRD collaborates closely with the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) and local agencies to replenish the Central and West Coast Groundwater basins using a mix of stormwater and recycled water, thereby reducing dependence on imported water sources. In this exclusive interview, Tucker provides in-depth insights into key projects, notably the ongoing expansion of desalination facilities aimed at purifying groundwater, supported by federal grants and strategic partnerships. He also discusses the district's strategic vision for achieving long-term water supply sustainability, navigating construction challenges, and managing economic implications within the region's water infrastructure landscape. Throughout the conversation, Tucker emphasizes the critical importance of public awareness regarding groundwater's pivotal role in ensuring reliable water supply and maintaining cost-effectiveness across Southern California, painting an optimistic outlook for the region's water future.
In this comprehensive interview with Mark Pestrella, Director of the Los Angeles County Public Works, Pestrella delves into the multifaceted responsibilities of overseeing the largest public works agency in the United States. Outlining the agency’s extensive scope, which includes managing water systems, roads, airports, and emergency responses for over 10 million residents across 4,000 square miles, he emphasizes the challenges of maintaining such vast infrastructure while simultaneously addressing climate change, which he describes as an ever-present threat that the agency has been planning for over the years.
Pestrella also discusses the agency’s strategic approach to leveraging historic federal funding from recent bills, such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), securing $1.5 billion to fund projects that prioritize climate resilience and equity. He underscores the ongoing challenge of workforce development in the face of a competitive labor market and highlights innovative approaches like AI and digital twins to enhance infrastructure maintenance and planning. As the 2028 Olympics approach, Pestrella shares his vision for showcasing LA County’s infrastructure, particularly along the LA River, as a reflection of the region's evolution and resilience.
California Policymakers Can Incorporate Mediation Into Legislative Proposals To Streamline Renewable Energy Permitting
CEC Vice Chair Siva Gunda discusses California's clean energy goals, emphasizing the need for 150,000 new megawatts to meet targets. He highlights the CEC's role in leveraging federal funds, including those from the Inflation Reduction Act, to support energy projects and coordinates with state agencies for efficient resource application. Gunda addresses challenges in grid reliability, affordability, and extensive planning. He highlights the importance of storage solutions, CCS, and hydrogen in achieving a balanced energy grid and underscores global collaborations, particularly with India, to enhance climate solutions and renewable energy efforts.
In a world where sustainable practices must transcend theory and take concrete form, Sara Neff has taken the helm as a champion for sustainable real estate development and related ESG initiatives as Head of Sustainability for Lendlease Americas. VX spoke with Neff, delving into the specific projects Lendlease is developing in the Americas both privately and with the Department of Defense, and how those projects are setting new standards for sustainable practices.
