UCLA symposium urges lawmakers to promote renewable energy for affordability

A symposium held on April 3 at the UCLA School of Law called on California lawmakers to prioritize renewable energy investments to address rising energy costs and promote affordability. The event, attended by nearly 200 policymakers and environmental advocates, focused on the intersection of sustainability policies and economic accessibility, a dominant theme in public discourse, according to organizer Brennon Mendez. John Reynolds, president of the California Public Utilities Commission, delivered a keynote address, linking current energy price hikes to global events such as the war in Iran and domestic issues like wildfire-related infrastructure damage. He advocated for a transition to solar energy to build a more resilient economy. William Boyd of UCLA's Emmett Institute on Climate Change & Environment noted that California's vertically integrated utility model contributes to its rising electricity prices compared to other states. Abre’ Conner, director of the Center for Environmental and Climate Justice at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, pointed to the federal government's rollback of renewable energy investments and the energy demands of new artificial intelligence data centers as exacerbating affordability issues. She criticized the Trump administration's policies, including the removal of EPA regulations and promotion of fossil fuel extraction, for threatening climate progress. Cara Horowitz, executive director of the Emmett Institute, emphasized California's potential role as a model for other jurisdictions in climate policy.