Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Chloe Zilliac @chloezilliac.bsky.social · 15d

"Americans need abundant, affordable energy to power our homes and grow our economy, and we need leaders who know how to support the clean energy revolution, not try to stand in its way." Must-read op-ed from @joshbecker.bsky.social 🔥
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...

Contributor: Trump is doing everything he can to raise your energy bills

The president has sabotaged clean energy development at every turn.

www.latimes.com

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Reposted by Chloe Zilliac

Josh Becker @joshbecker.bsky.social · 15d

Check out my op-ed about how Trump promised lower energy bills but is making them worse.
#EnergyPolicy #CleanEnergy #Trump #ElectricityBills #Renewables #ClimateEconomics #caleg

www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...

Contributor: Trump is doing everything he can to raise your energy bills

The president has sabotaged clean energy development at every turn.

www.latimes.com

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Chloe Zilliac @chloezilliac.bsky.social · 16d

California cities including Menlo Park, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, and Mountain View have adopted smart new policies to encourage heat pump upgrades when air conditioners break. The goal? Lower bills, cleaner air, and reduced climate pollution. Read more: www.sierraclub.org/press-releas...

California Cities Embrace Novel Strategy to Cut Energy Bills and Climate Pollution: Target Air Conditioner Replacements

Heat pumps provide highly-efficient cooling and heating in a single unit, meaning households that upgrade can often get rid of their polluting gas furnace entirely and cut a key source of climate and ...

www.sierraclub.org

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Chloe Zilliac @chloezilliac.bsky.social · 16d

30+ health, clean, and business organizations from across #CA are calling on @gavinnewsom.bsky.social to veto #SB34, which strips local power to address deadly diesel pollution hotspots. Stand up for our health and VETO #SB34!
Learn more: www.ccair.org/newsom-veto-...

Veto SB 34 – Coalition for Clean Air

The Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) is a statewide organization exclusively dedicated to protecting public health, improving air quality, and preventing climate change.

www.ccair.org

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Chloe Zilliac @chloezilliac.bsky.social · 24d

93% of CA voters agree that utilities should not charge customers for wasteful spending, including lobbying, PR, and marketing campaigns. AB 1167 & SB 24 deliver commonsense guardrails to protect customers. @gavinnewsom.bsky.social, sign these bills into law!
energyandpolicy.org/california-l...

California passes bill curbing utilities use of ratepayer money for political spending

State lawmakers last week made California the seventh state to pass a bill limiting investor-owned utilities from using customer money to pay for political and lobbying costs.

energyandpolicy.org

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Reposted by Chloe Zilliac

Adrian Martinez @lasmogguy.bsky.social · Jun 6

The gassy emperor has no clothes. Pretty strong tidal wave of supporters for South Coast appliance rules in room. Workers, parents, students, seniors all out to support our health.

Evan George @evanlgeorge.bsky.social · Jun 6

I am not at the SCAQMD board meeting, but the room is packed. I’m told that health and enviro activists far outnumber opponents of the 2 clean air rules being discussed.

Seen: Earthjustice, Sierra Club, Third Act SoCal, East Yard Comm. for Environmental Justice, CHIRLA, and more. Here’s a peak:

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Reposted by Chloe Zilliac

Sierra Club California @sierraclubca.bsky.social · Jun 4

SoCal pediatricians and med students urge @southcoastaqmd.bsky.social to protect kids’ lungs in Orange County by passing zero-emission appliance standards on June 6. voiceofoc.org/2025/06/mai-...

Mai and Nguyen: From the Pediatric Perspective, Orange County’s Polluted Air is an Immediate Danger to Our Children’s Lungs. We Have a Chance to Fix It.

We represent a group of current and future pediatricians who advocate for the health of our region’s pediatric asthma patients. Gas appliances in our homes are an underrecognized yet major threat to c...

voiceofoc.org

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Reposted by Chloe Zilliac

Los Angeles Climate Reality Project @laclimateleader.bsky.social · Jun 3

New investigation from @floodlightnews.org shows SoCalGas pressured city leaders and launched a fierce disinformation campaign against clean appliance rules in SoCal. The AQMD plan (rules 1111 and 1121) have been weakened but not killed -- the vote is this Friday. floodlightnews.org/the-gas-lobb...

The gas lobby is weakening Southern California’s boldest clean-air plan in decades

A coalition that includes SoCalGas has launched a fierce campaign against a transition away from gas-fired furnaces and water heaters

floodlightnews.org

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Reposted by Chloe Zilliac

Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · Jun 4

A Maine utility paid a consultant nearly $700 an hour to convince regulators to raise customers' rates in order to boost utility profits, then sought to charge customers for that expense. Your utility is probably doing this too. energyandpolicy.org/maine-bill-p...

Maine bill proposes cap on rate case charges to utility customers

A new Maine bill, LD 1949 would place limits on the costs utilities can charge their customers for the legal and consulting fees they pay to advocate for rate increases. The bill, introduced by Senato...

energyandpolicy.org

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Reposted by Chloe Zilliac

Hilary Beaumont @hilarybeaumont.bsky.social · Jun 3

The gas lobby is weakening Southern California’s boldest clean-air plan in decades

A coalition that includes SoCalGas has launched a fierce campaign against rules that are going to a final vote this Friday

Scoop from me ⤵️
floodlightnews.org/the-gas-lobb...

The gas lobby is weakening Southern California’s boldest clean-air plan in decades

A coalition that includes SoCalGas has launched a fierce campaign against a transition away from gas-fired furnaces and water heaters

floodlightnews.org

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Reposted by Chloe Zilliac

Nick Cunningham @nickcunningham.bsky.social · Jun 3

another excellent piece from @hilarybeaumont.bsky.social

Hilary Beaumont @hilarybeaumont.bsky.social · Jun 3

The gas lobby is weakening Southern California’s boldest clean-air plan in decades

A coalition that includes SoCalGas has launched a fierce campaign against rules that are going to a final vote this Friday

Scoop from me ⤵️
floodlightnews.org/the-gas-lobb...

The gas lobby is weakening Southern California’s boldest clean-air plan in decades

A coalition that includes SoCalGas has launched a fierce campaign against a transition away from gas-fired furnaces and water heaters

floodlightnews.org

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Reposted by Chloe Zilliac

Floodlight @floodlightnews.org · Jun 3

Later this week, Southern California air regulators will vote on a major clean-air rule—meant to shift away from gas-fired furnaces and water heaters. But SoCalGas and its allies have already succeeded in weakening it.

NEW from @hilarybeaumont:

The gas lobby is weakening Southern California’s boldest clean-air plan in decades

A coalition that includes SoCalGas has launched a fierce campaign against a transition away from gas-fired furnaces and water heaters

floodlightnews.org

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Chloe Zilliac @chloezilliac.bsky.social · Jun 3

NEW from @floodlightnews.org: A coalition that includes SoCalGas has launched a fierce disinformation campaign against clean air rules in SoCal. @southcoastaqmd.bsky.social: choose public health over gas-industry profits. Vote YES on Rules 1111 and 1121. floodlightnews.org/the-gas-lobb...

The gas lobby is weakening Southern California’s boldest clean-air plan in decades

A coalition that includes SoCalGas has launched a fierce campaign against a transition away from gas-fired furnaces and water heaters

floodlightnews.org

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Chloe Zilliac @chloezilliac.bsky.social · May 23

"We don't need more delay. We need courage. We need action. And we need clean air—now."🫁In the face of federal attacks on clean air, SoCal regulators must lead. @southcoastaqmd.bsky.social: Vote YES on stronger pollution standards for furnaces & water heaters.
lasentinel.net/clean-air-is...

Clean Air Is a Right, Not a Luxury—Especially in Communities Like Mine - Los Angeles Sentinel

You don't need a scientific study to know that pollution hits communities of color the hardest—you just need to walk outside and breathe.

lasentinel.net

Reposted by Chloe Zilliac

David Weiskopf believes in you @dave.bzky.team · May 16

If this post gets 50 likes, i will go ahead and make a long thread about it all, but otherwise won't bother, bc it is kind of a lit of work and i am p busy, so i want to do stuff that is actually useful to people

David Weiskopf believes in you @dave.bzky.team · May 16

Feel like i should explain what's happening with California's cap and trade, since I am one of like four people who both understands what is happening but is not actively participating in the negotiations.

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Chloe Zilliac @chloezilliac.bsky.social · Apr 23

New American Lung Association report: LA remains nation's smoggiest city. As federal air quality protections crumble,
we need @southcoastaqmd.bsky.social to lead by strengthening proposed pollution rules for furnaces and water heaters.
www.latimes.com/california/s...

Los Angeles remains nation's smoggiest city for 25th time in 26 years, despite progress

An annual report from the American Lung Assn. showed that Los Angeles has improved its air quality but still deserves its reputation for unhealthy air.

www.latimes.com

Chloe Zilliac @chloezilliac.bsky.social · Apr 10

#AB306 would undermine utility affordability by blocking energy efficiency building code updates. These statewide standards have saved CA residents over $100 billion since the 1970s. @caspeakerrivas.bsky.social, let's protect these vital cost-saving measures!
www.latimes.com/environment/...

Commentary: California should move faster on clean energy. Some lawmakers want to take a break

A bill from top Democrat Robert Rivas, approved unanimously by the Assembly, would put a six-year pause on efficiency standards for homes.

www.latimes.com

Chloe Zilliac @chloezilliac.bsky.social · Apr 8

New healthy air standards from @southcoastaqmd.bsky.social would tackle SoCal's smog by ramping up the sale of pollution-free furnaces & water heaters. But with lives on the line, we can't afford gas industry giveaways that weaken this rule's impact.
www.canarymedia.com/articles/hea...

SoCal regulators weigh weakened rules for emissions-free appliances

Though the new proposal would still help clean up the region’s smog-filled air, it stops short short of mandating heat pumps and banning appliances that…

www.canarymedia.com

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Chloe Zilliac @chloezilliac.bsky.social · Mar 27

CA's for-profit utility rates rose 48-67% in 4 yrs. @sammyroth.bsky.social offers solutions:
1️⃣ Shift wildfire costs to state budget
2️⃣ Scrutinize utility profits
#CALeg
latimes.com/environment/newsletter/2025-03-27/californians-pay-too-much-for-electricity-here-are-three-bold-solutions-boiling-point

Commentary: Californians pay too much for electricity. Here are three bold solutions

It's time for Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers to show courage and take some political risks.

www.latimes.com

Chloe Zilliac @chloezilliac.bsky.social · Mar 19

⚠️ As the Trump administration removes EPA staff protecting us from toxic pollution, @SouthCoastAQMD can stand strong for the 17+ million people breathing SoCal air by passing healthy air standards for furnaces and water heaters in May. @southcoastaqmd.bsky.social
www.citywatchla.com/climate/3052...

As Federal Protections Crumble, SCAQMD Must Step Up for Clean Air

CityWatch is published 24/7 with special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evening.

www.citywatchla.com

Reposted by Chloe Zilliac

California Environmental Justice Alliance (CEJA) @ceja.org · Feb 24

"For-profit utilities overcharge customers by billions annually... There is a simple fix: by reducing inflated returns to reflect today’s market realities, the CPUC can cut average utility bills by 10% overnight & eliminate incentive to overspend."

- Mark Ellis, www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/open...

I was a California energy strategist. Here’s how the state lets PG&E give you a raw deal

I was chief strategist for a California energy company. Here’s how utility profits work, and why you are getting a raw deal.

www.sfchronicle.com

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Chloe Zilliac @chloezilliac.bsky.social · Feb 27

[email protected]: While Californians rebuild from devastating wildfires, Trump's Energy pick—a fracking CEO—dismisses the climate-wildfire connection as "hype." With federal leadership failing us, CA must act. Create a climate superfund now. #CALeg
calmatters.org/commentary/2...

Oil and gas companies should be held financially responsible for California climate disasters | Opinion

Fossil fuel companies got California into this crisis. It's time lawmakers hold them accountable by passing crucial legislation this year.

calmatters.org

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Chloe Zilliac @chloezilliac.bsky.social · Feb 22

Take action today and tell SoCal regulators to move forward with live-saving clean air regulations.
earthjustice.org/action/tell-...

Tell SoCal regulators: Clean our air with new standards

Tell the South Coast Air Quality Management District to move forward with the life-saving regulations that would help clean up the LA region’s notoriously smoggy skies while reducing planet-warming cl...

earthjustice.org

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Chloe Zilliac @chloezilliac.bsky.social · Feb 21

Gas heating equipment is driving SoCal's smog crisis, but there's good news: New @rockymtninst.bsky.social analysis shows families could save over $10k switching to clean electric heat pumps with combined incentives. SCAQMD, pass standards for healthy heating equipment!
rmi.org/heat-pumps-r...

Heat Pumps Reduce Smog in Southern California. Available Incentives Mean They Can Also Cost Less Than Gas Equipment. - RMI

Southern California residents can save money by switching to a heat pump – even without current federal incentives.

rmi.org

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Reposted by Chloe Zilliac

Sierra Club @sierraclub.org · Feb 20

Wildfire smoke, smog… our air should not make us sick! @southcoastaqmd.bsky.social must leverage EVERY TOOL from the Clean Air Act to deliver healthy air for our communities, including cutting smog-forming NOx pollution from buildings. Sign the petition here:
www.socalcleanair.com

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