Research and Development

AltaSea Emerging as Global Ocean Institute in L.A. Dedicated to Building a BlueTech Economy

Issue: 
Dr. Sandra Whitehouse

VX2018 covered the progress of AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, an innovative project aimed at fostering a new ocean-focused "BlueTech" economy and increasing educational opportunities for Southern California.

Steve Westly: Global Shift to Cleantech Has Already Happened

Issue: 
Steve Westly

Former California State Controller and investor Steve Westly addressed the VerdeXchange 2018 Conference to illustrate how the new Internet of Things data-driven economy is evolving from the oil and auto industry economy, lifting innovation to irreversible heights around the globe. Westly explains how California is playing a crucial leadership role.

CEC Chair Weisenmiller on the Transformation of California’s Clean Energy Market

Issue: 
Robert Weisenmiller

Pacific Gas & Electric’s recently announcement it would shut down the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant highlighted California’s rapidly shifting approach to the electric power grid. To California Energy Commission Chair Robert Weisenmiller, the decision was significant, but was just one of a multitude of tidal forces moving California towards a diverse, dynamic, and resilient renewable energy portfolio. In an exclusive interview with VX News, Weisenmiller explains the growth and importance of the regional Energy Imbalance Market, as well as the Energy Commission’s efforts to invest research dollars to advance community-scale microgrids and renewables.

Recycling Cap-and-Trade Revenues in Ontario: Experts Weigh In

Issue: 
Chris Ragan, EcoFiscal Commissioner Chair

Ontario finalized its cap-and-trade program in June, and will conduct the first auction in July. As a member of the Western Climate Initiative, the province has also signaled its intent to link its system to similar ones operating in Quebec and California. The Climate Change Mitigation and Low-Carbon Economy Act mandates that revenues from Ontario’s auctions go into the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account to fund a number of diverse programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. But experts disagree on how the province can best recycle the cap-and-trade revenue. Before the program was finalized, the Canada EcoFiscal Commission hosted a roundtable of advocates from around the country representing priorities from social inequality to business development. VX News presents an excerpt of the debate with remarks by Chris Ragan, chair of the Canada EcoFiscal Commission; Rick Smith, executive director of the Broadbent Institute; Vicky Sharpe, senior fellow at the International Institute for Sustainable Development; Mike Moffat, chief economist at the Moet Center; and Mark Cameron, executive director of Canadians for Clean Prosperity.