What has most encouraged the diffusion of green technology and innovation in California?
The biggest change in the last couple of years is twofold: First, global warming is accelerating faster than any of us thought it would. It’s important that California continues to lead on these issues, and we’re close to accomplishing those goals. The governor’s Solar Roof Initiative, which is now being implemented by the PUC, is part of the solution. We need to incentivize alternative energy sources, whether they’re solar or wind; I’d also like to look at increasing our geothermal capacity. I know the city of San Francisco is interested in tidal energy. Conservation will also be part of reducing our carbon footprint. 17 percent of all the energy we use just moves water. So water conservation is going to be part of the solution. There are exciting opportunities in alternative fuel including cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel. California and other states are looking at biomass as a source of energy. We need to do a lot of work to understand carbon sequestration in forests or underground.
