On May 23, Advanced Energy Economy Institute convened a full house of advanced energy technologies (with representatives of 10 AEE member companies) to meet with Joey Freeman, policy director for Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s gubernatorial campaign. Joey was joined by Jared Blumenfeld, who is advising the campaign on energy and environment issues. Joey and Jared reinforced the candidate’s support for advanced energy growth, and emphasized a commitment to working with our industry to push the envelope on the state’s economic growth and aggressive decarbonization goals.  

In his State of the State address in January, Gov. Jerry Brown set a new goal of 5 million zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) on the road in California by 2030. Just a day later, the Governor formalized this goal through an Executive Order, which identified an expansion of charging infrastructure – specifically, 250,000 installed chargers by 2025 – along with an expansion of vehicle rebates as the most critical needs in order for the state to hit the target. A new bill sponsored by AEE would address the charging infrastructure challenge and set the state on course toward having the charging capacity needed to support a mass market for EVs.

On March 23, Advanced Energy Economy Institute (AEE Institute) hosted California gubernatorial hopeful Delaine Eastin for a roundtable session with AEE member companies in San Francisco. The former State Superintendent of Public Instruction shared her vision for maintaining California’s leadership on climate and energy issues, nationally and globally. Eastin underscored the imperative for long-range planning, and reiterated her commitment to ensuring continuity for the state’s critical advanced energy investments and programs.

Last Friday, Gov. Jerry Brown set another ambitious and significant marker for California: 5 million zero emission vehicles on the road by 2030. As previewed in the governor’s final State of the State speech the day before, his Executive Order calls for substantial investments in electric and fuel cell vehicles, along with the necessary infrastructure to fuel and charge them. Transportation is the next frontier in building California’s advanced energy economy, and with this action, Gov. Brown has taken a big step forward.

Image by Disney/ABC Television Group, used under Creative Commons license

What does 2018 hold for advanced energy? Plenty, when it comes to federal and state policy issues that could make or break business prospects for advanced energy companies. I hope all you advanced energy advocates are well rested, as the new year is going to be a busy one! Here is what we at AEE see on the policy horizon, with some opportunities – and battles – coming sooner than you’d think.