Former Chair of the California Air Resources Board and longtime national climate leader Mary Nichols reflects on the stakes for California as federal threats loom and the state’s Cap-and-Trade Program faces reauthorization.

Gunda addresses California’s “mid-transition” status, flat loads, expected demand from electrification and data centers, and the added strain of upcoming refinery closures. Together, their insights underscored how the evolving dynamics of demand, supply, and infrastructure investment shape what California households and businesses ultimately pay.

In this VX News interview, Dr. Kelly Sanders—former Assistant Director of Energy Systems Innovation at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and current Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Southern California (USC)—reflects on U.S. climate and energy policy.

Senator Henry Stern calls for Southern California to secure a fair share of Cap-and-Trade revenues, pointing to the region’s heavy congestion, pollution, and transit needs. Linking transit investment directly to public health, Stern underscores how transit funding is critical for clean air and climate action as well as mobility.

VX News highlights the U.S. Green Building Council California’s (USGBC-CA) published results from its 50 Liter Home pilot project in Los Angeles—a proof-of-concept and replicable model showing how households can achieve dramatic water savings while maintaining comfort and quality of life.

Tim O’Connor, newly appointed Executive Director and Ratepayer Advocate for the Office of Public Accountability (OPA) at LADWP, outlines his vision with VX News for modernizing the role to meet today’s affordability, climate, and infrastructure challenges.