Daniel Barad
@danielbarad.bsky.social
94 followers 140 following 13 posts
CA Senior Policy Manager @ucsusa.bsky.social. Posts about policy, science, and the fight for a livable planet.
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Reposted by Daniel Barad
ucs.org
As California reauthorizes its groundbreaking cap-and-trade program, UCS board member Kyle Meng shares his perspective in a recent op-ed in the @sacbee.com.

Read it here: act.ucsusa.org/4nGapQm
"Lawmakers could make two simple changes to how electricity climate credits are distributed to better support California households — especially low-income families and those in the hottest regions who face the highest cooling costs. This is especially relevant as extreme heat becomes more common." - Quote by Kyle Meng, Board Director of UCS. Via The Sacramento BEee
Reposted by Daniel Barad
ucs.org
1/Refinery closures in California are sparking panic over gas prices—but the real issue? CA’s in the midst of a fossil fuel breakup.
Reposted by Daniel Barad
ucs.org
2/We can’t cling to oil and claim climate leadership. CA needs a plan that:

⚡️keeps the clean transportation transition on track
⛽️ Manages declining gas supply without price spikes
💸 Protects low-income drivers from volatility
CA can manage this transition. Let’s get to work.
A Fossil Fuel Phaseout Without Stable Prices? Good Luck, Babe!
California must show it can manage this transition without affordability impacts on working Californians.
blog.ucs.org
danielbarad.bsky.social
🎶You’d have to stop the world just to stop this transition🎶

…but that doesn’t mean we don’t have to plan for it.

Read my @ucs.org blog about CA’s fossil fuel phaseout and the importance of minimizing impacts to everyday Californians as we go to zero emissions.
A Fossil Fuel Phaseout Without Stable Prices? Good Luck, Babe!
California must show it can manage this transition without affordability impacts on working Californians.
blog.ucs.org
Reposted by Daniel Barad
carb-chair.bsky.social
“Unconstitutional. Illegal. Foolish.”
Today’s vote to roll back clean air protections is an attack on states’ rights & the health of 150M Americans. California will fight back to defend our right to breathe clean air.

➡️ bit.ly/3YXi5Dn

@gavinnewsom.bsky.social @robbonta.bsky.social
California officials stand together at a press conference. CARB Chair Liane Randolph speaks at a podium displaying a sign that reads, "Trump’s GOP is making America smoggy again." She is joined by Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and other state leaders, addressing recent federal actions impacting clean air protections. A clear blue sky and cityscape are visible in the background.
Reposted by Daniel Barad
ucs.org
As our freight system has evolved to meet the demands of consumers, it must also evolve to address its impacts on public health and the planet. Indirect Source Rules or "ISRs," is a promising solution. Learn more in UCS's Sam Wilson's blog.
Indirect Source Rules: An Emerging Route Toward Clean Freight
As our freight system has evolved to meet the demands of consumers, it must also evolve to address its impacts on public health and climate
blog.ucs.org
Reposted by Daniel Barad
ucs.org
#CA business and clean air organizations, including #IBEW CA, oppose the attacks on California’s Clean Air Act authority, which has put people to work across the state. Protecting the Advanced Clean Cars Program ensures more work is on the horizon! ibew.org/ibew-califor...
Brochure reads "The Advanced Clean Cars Program Creates Good Jobs in California. Over a quarter of a million people are now employed by our EV industry. The growth in charging infrastructure alone will create even more valuable union electrical jobs and skilled training opportunities. We are ready to power millions of zero-emission cars, trucks, and buses. Defend our EV jobs! Support California's clean car standards!
Reposted by Daniel Barad
ucs.org
CA's Senate Energy Committee can bring us one step close to a clean, more reliable, more connected by passing Sen. Becker's #SB540 today! This bill will help California keep the grid running all day and night on more clean energy—it is that grid espresso.
Western Energy Markets, Sabrina Carpenter, and the Grid Espresso Paradox
California's SB 540 hits all the right notes for the state's future energy needs.
blog.ucs.org
Reposted by Daniel Barad
ucs.org
In his new blog post, UCS’s Dave Cooke explains why Senator Bernie Moreno’s so-called “Transportation Freedom Act” undermines consumer choice in cars and would hit consumers in the wallet:

Read it here: act.ucsusa.org/3RanW3Q
A graphic with a quote criticizing the Transportation "Freedom" Act. The quote reads: "[The Transportation 'Freedom' Act] is about the freedom for industry to continue wreaking havoc on our lungs and our pocketbooks. And it must not move forward." The quote is attributed to Dave Cooke, Senior Vehicles Analyst at UCS (Union of Concerned Scientists). His headshot appears in a circular frame. Behind the text is a grayscale image of parked SUVs in front of a building with a Toyota logo. There’s a bold orange button that says "READ THE BLOG POST." The Union of Concerned Scientists logo is at the bottom. Photo credit: Brandon Bell/Getty Images. © Union of Concerned Scientists 2025.
danielbarad.bsky.social
Here’s a great blog by @ucsusa.bsky.social Senior Scientist Dr. Jess Dunn on #SB615 (@benallenca.bsky.social). This is an awesome bill on EV battery recycling that’s 5+ years in the making. Time to Close the EV Battery Loop!! #CAleg
California's Push to Close the EV Battery Loop
With electric vehicle sales increasing, a recycling policy for their batteries will be critical to minimize impacts.
blog.ucs.org
danielbarad.bsky.social
AB674 is an @ucsusa.bsky.social sponsored bill based on our independent science showing old vehicles make up fewer than 1/5 of the cars on the road but emit more than 2/3 of the smog-forming pollution. It passed committee today! Thank you to @asmdamonconnolly.bsky.social for leading on this bill!
asmdamonconnolly.bsky.social
Today, #AB674 passed out of the Assembly Transportation Committee! This bill improves the Clean Cars 4 All program, which helps lower-income consumers replace older, high-polluting vehicles with cleaner transportation.
Reposted by Daniel Barad
asmdamonconnolly.bsky.social
Today, #AB674 passed out of the Assembly Transportation Committee! This bill improves the Clean Cars 4 All program, which helps lower-income consumers replace older, high-polluting vehicles with cleaner transportation.
Reposted by Daniel Barad
stevenhigashide.com
Big "mask-off" moment for several automakers - supporting legislation to neuter EPA and states' ability to cut vehicle pollution.
ucsdave.bsky.social
General Motors, Toyota, and Stellantis, as well as the trucking and auto industries broadly, are working with Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) to gut vehicle regulation via a bill that seems to have flown under the radar. Read about this disaster of a bill here: blog.ucs.org/dave-cooke/a...
Automakers are Partnering with an Ohio Senator to Decrease Consumer Choice and Increase Pollution
Proposed bill could prevent any future administration’s attempt to protect consumers and the environment.
blog.ucs.org
danielbarad.bsky.social
All in all, a good day for our climate in California’s Capitol where we are making polluters pay, creating a sustainable transportation future, and protecting waterways! For more CA policy updates, follow along with our new State of Science blog series!
State of Science
A blog on science, solutions, and justice
blog.ucs.org
danielbarad.bsky.social
Bad news last. I testified against SB 496 to protect one of a few tools to clean the air and stave off the climate crisis. It unfortunately passed. Read more about the critical importance of the ACF rule in this blog!
Clean Fleets Rule Slated to Deliver Healthier Air for Californians
The Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) rule, adopted last week, is perhaps the most transformative clean trucks regulation ever considered.
blog.ucs.org
danielbarad.bsky.social
SB 601 (Allen) is a bill to restore water protections that were entrenched for decades prior to a recent SCOTUS ruling. This bill also passed!
danielbarad.bsky.social
SB 615 (Allen) would ensure that EV batteries are reused, repurposed and ultimately recycled. I was the lead witness on this bill and it passed! Read more about the importance of strong policies like this bill from my brilliant colleague, Dr. Jessica Dunn!
Jessica Dunn
A blog on science, solutions, and justice
blog.ucs.org
danielbarad.bsky.social
SB 684 (Menjivar) aims to make the fossil fuel companies responsible for worsening climate disasters pay to mitigate their damage. The bill passed after an outpouring of support from climate activists and scientists. More about FF companies causing disasters, in this video:
Kristina Dahl, Climate Scientist #shorts
YouTube video by Public Citizen
www.youtube.com
danielbarad.bsky.social
I spent yesterday at the CA Senate Environmental Quality Committee pushing for 3 @ucsusa.bsky.social priority bills and testifying against one bill undermining a CA Clean Air Rule! Read this thread to learn how it went!
danielbarad.bsky.social
I am devastated that I didn't consult you on this. I have made a note to include you on the review of all future blogs connecting pop icons to California energy policy.
Reposted by Daniel Barad
Reposted by Daniel Barad
governor.ca.gov
On March 12, the EPA started rolling back decades of environmental leadership that protect the water we all depend on.

California EPA Secretary Yana Garcia breaks down the facts and how California is fighting back.
How Federal Attacks on #CleanWater Impact #California #shorts #trump #epa #climate #news #water
YouTube video by California Governor Gavin Newsom
youtube.com
danielbarad.bsky.social
Great stuff as usual from @sammyroth.bsky.social. I love the transmission financing plug and the plea to starting think seriously about what we can take out of rates!

I may need a bit more evidence from the utilities that returns need to be that high before I’m willing to settle for the scalpel
sammyroth.bsky.social
Politicians love to chase easy answers. Alas, when it comes to CA's rising electric rates, there aren’t any.

Gavin Newsom and company need to spend more money, scrutinize utility profits and — gasp — maybe accept the risk of blackouts. My latest for @latimes.com: www.latimes.com/environment/...
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
Reposted by Daniel Barad
sammyroth.bsky.social
Politicians love to chase easy answers. Alas, when it comes to CA's rising electric rates, there aren’t any.

Gavin Newsom and company need to spend more money, scrutinize utility profits and — gasp — maybe accept the risk of blackouts. My latest for @latimes.com: www.latimes.com/environment/...
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