VX News is the editorial voice of the annual VerdeXchange Conference, featuring in-depth interviews with industry leaders and policymakers driving innovation in clean energy, water, transportation, and climate policy.
VX Excerpt: Powering California’s Future (PPIC)
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.
From the White House to USC: Dr. Kelly Sanders on the Energy Transition
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 Stern on Backing Regional Leaders’ Call for $3.3B Transit Investment from Cap-and-Trade Reauthorization
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.
50L Home Pilot Offers Roadmap for Policy, Funding, and Cultural Change
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.
LADWP’s New Ratepayer Advocate — Meet Tim O’Connor
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.
EDF’s Michael Colvin on Clean Energy Strategy and the Future of the Western Grid
VX News interviewed Michael Colvin, Director of California Energy Program at Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), to elaborate on the impetus behind the West-Wide Governance Pathways Initiative and current status of SB 540, California’s latest legislative effort to implement a western regional day-ahead electricity market.
VX Excerpt: Jigar Shah on the Climate Tech Recalibration — Risk, Resilience & Bargain Hunting
As clean energy investment slows and startup valuations fall, seasoned investors are repositioning — not retreating. VX News excerpts the latest episode of Open Circuit by Latitude Media, focusing on the contributions of climate finance veteran Jigar Shah, as he describes how a market once bloated by hype is now ripe with more disciplined opportunity.
Freshman Assemblymember Nick Schultz Brings Experience & Fresh Eyes to the State Legislature
Representing California's 44th District, in this timely interview, Assemblymember Nick Schultz reflects on his transition from local office to state government and the challenges amid fiscal constraints and climate urgency. Schultz emphasizes the importance of proactive constituent engagement, independent legislative thinking, and ensuring that local governments are equipped with both the mandates and resources needed to deliver results.
From Los Angeles to the World: A Consular Dialogue on Trade Futures
VX News presents excerpted highlights from a recent VerdeXchange Conference panel, “Supply Chains Going Forward,” hosted by the World Trade Center Los Angeles (WTC-LA), and moderated by Stephen Cheung, President & CEO of LAEDC and WTC-LA. The panel featured Andrea Sasse, Consul General of Germany; Kenko Sone, Consul General of Japan; Wendy Wagner, Head of Canada’s International Trade Group at Gowling WLG; and Okko-Pekka Salmimies, Consul General of Finland.
LADBS’ General Manager Osama Younan on Palisades Fire Rebuild: Speed, Safety & Self-Certification
Six months following the onset of the devastating Palisades and Eaton Wildfires in Los Angeles, TPR spoke with City of Los Angeles’ Department of Building & Safety General Manager Osama Younan about the department’s critical role in both emergency response and the long-term rebuilding efforts in the Palisades. Reflecting on interagency coordination and the importance of balancing speed with safety in restoring fire-impacted communities, Younan highlights the efforts to help residents and builders navigate the recovery process while ensuring code compliance including rapid deployment of inspection teams, creation of a dedicated rebuild permit review unit, and launch of the self-certification pilot program.