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.
Veteran Municipal Attorney Michael Colantuono on Local Finance and California’s Broken Fiscal Compact
Long-time city attorney Michael Colantuono reflects on California’s enduring state–local fiscal dysfunction and legislature usurpation of local control. From a recent “bullet dodged” by local government to the legacy of Prop 13, Colantuono traces decades of underfunding by the State of local government, legislative overreach, and judicial decisions that have hamstrung localities' ambitions.
Nick Perloff-Giles on Translating Innovation into Public Benefit
As Los Angeles prepares to host global mobility leaders for CoMotion Los Angeles, VX News caught up with Nick Perloff-Giles, Program Coordinator at the Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC) and co-host of CoMotion’s Fast Forward podcast, to preview the themes shaping this year’s conference.
IEUA’s Deshmukh on Water Innovation, Regional Stewardship, and Vision for MWD
Departing his role as General Manager of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, where he has served since 2019, to lead the Metropolitan Water District in the same capacity, Shivaji Deshmukh reflects with VX News on advancing local water reliability through innovation and collaboration.
Through Climate-Colored Goggles — Sammy Roth on Culture as Catalyst for Environmental Change
In conversation with VX News, established climate journalist Sammy Roth, formerly of the LA Times and now writing independently on Climate-Colored Goggles, explores how culture, communication, and accountability shape climate progress.
Keeping Our Children in California: Hertzberg on the Middle-Class Homeownership Act
Former California Senate Majority Leader and Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg is championing the proposed Middle-Class Homeownership and Family Home Construction Act, a 2026 ballot initiative aimed at expanding housing opportunities for middle-income Californians.
POLB’s Mario Cordero on Leadership, Legacy, and the Future of Maritime Trade
As he steps down after eight years as CEO, Mario Cordero reflects on transforming the Port of Long Beach into a global model for sustainable growth and environmental stewardship. In conversation with VX News, Cordero recounts launching the Green Port Policy, co-developing the Clean Air Action Plan, and championing Green Shipping Corridors with Shanghai and Singapore—initiatives that redefined the port’s mission beyond cargo throughput.
Incoming to LA County ISD: Alycia Gilde on Accelerating Climate Action When Washington Won’t
Alycia Gilde, newly appointed to lead Los Angeles County’s Internal Services Department (ISD) climate initiatives, shares her vision for advancing clean energy deployment at the local level. Drawing on her federal experience shaping zero-emission vehicle strategy at the White House, leadership at CALSTART, and decades of collaboration from New York City to Los Angeles, including her Peace Corps experience in Ghana, West Africa, Gilde brings both national and international expertise to the role.
VX Excerpt: The Future of Clean Hydrogen in Los Angeles
Maressa Brennan provides independent oversight over rate making and investment decisions for the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP). Brennan’s article in the Ratepayer Advocate’s Office Blog discusses the clean energy future of Los Angeles in the wake of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) cancelling up to $1.2 billion in federal funding for California’s clean hydrogen hub.
NEDO Chairman Tamotsu Saito on Japan–California Collaboration
At VerdeXchange Conference 2025, Tamotsu Saito, Chairman of Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), underscored the critical role of international innovation partnerships in navigating an era of climate and geopolitical uncertainty.
Why Post-Fire Soil Sampling Matters — And How to Do It Smartly
In a VX News Op-Ed, Sokolow shares ten points to keep in mind for the post-fire soil sampling process, which includes reminders to check for car location, household and pool chemical storage, Asbestos, and more.