California

Electrification

This startup’s electric roasters cut carbon and costs from coffee-making

Bellwether produces all-electric, efficient machines that replace gas-burning roasters, giving cafes a sustainable – and affordable – way to roast their own blends.

By Jeff St. John . 16 October 2025
Virtual power plants

Why did Newsom veto California’s virtual-power-plant bills?

Supporters say the bills would have helped ease the state’s energy affordability crisis while strengthening grid reliability.

By Jeff St. John . 8 October 2025
Virtual power plants

Did California just screw up the largest virtual power plant in the US?

Lawmakers axed funding for the state’s most promising effort yet to cut grid costs with solar-charged batteries and smart thermostats. Can the program be saved?

By Jeff St. John . 29 September 2025
Energy markets

New California law could expand energy trading across the West

Backers of a Western trading market say it could save billions and boost renewables. After years of delays, California is moving forward with the idea.

By Jeff St. John . 23 September 2025
Virtual power plants

Can virtual power plants relieve hot spots on neighborhood power grids?

PG&E, Sunrun, and Span are testing how rooftop solar, batteries, and other resources can ease stressed-out local grid circuits as a way to avoid expensive upgrades.

By Jeff St. John . 19 September 2025
EV charging

EV Realty lands $75M to expand electric truck charging in California

The startup has four mega-charging sites planned in the state, and says the underlying economics of electric freight hauling can withstand federal policy reversals.

By Jeff St. John . 18 September 2025
Policy & regulation

California just passed a suite of bills to tackle rising energy costs

The state’s lawmakers got serious about reducing electricity rates this session, with measures to help with summer bills and enable public financing for power grids.

By Jeff St. John . 17 September 2025
Virtual power plants

California could save big if virtual power plants target ‘sweet spots’

The state’s utilities could use rooftop solar, batteries, and EVs to cut $13.7B in costs — by applying those to the right parts of stressed-out local grids.

By Jeff St. John . 11 September 2025
Solar

California's first solar-covered canal is now fully online

The 1.6-MW pilot system is among a growing number of initiatives to put solar over waterways. The approach could generate gigawatts of power nationwide.

By Maria Gallucci . 10 September 2025
Ocean energy

Will this startup be the first to successfully scale up ocean power?

Many companies have failed to harness the sea’s energy. Eco Wave Power thinks its shore-mounted tech, which it just installed at a wharf in LA, can buck the trend.

By Julian Spector . 10 September 2025