Laura Klivans

6 days ago | kqed.org | Ericka Cruz Guevarra |Laura Klivans |Mel Velasquez |Jessica Kariisa

Ericka Cruz GuevarraLaura KlivansMel VelasquezJessica KariisaAlan MontecilloApr 18Failed to save articlePlease try againAn aerial view of Ramon Heredia and Ivan Israel Amezcua's home in Richmond on March 21, 2025. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)Picture an all-electric home with smart appliances that talk to each other via WiFi to figure out when to pull power from the grid. That’s the idea behind something called ‘virtual power plant’ technology.

1 week ago | laist.com | Laura Klivans

Fighting about rooftop solar in California never seems to get old. Kicking off the latest conflict is legislation that would reduce the benefits that longtime solar customers receive for extra electricity they produce and export to the grid. While the bill hasn’t had a hearing yet, it’s already garnering strong support and fiery opposition. The legislation would apply to customers, both commercial and residential, who installed solar before April 2023.

1 week ago | kqed.org | Laura Klivans

Failed to save articlePlease try againCalifornia has the nation's largest rooftop solar market with panels on about 1.5 million homes, according to the California Public Utilities Commission. Fighting about rooftop solar in California never seems to get old. Kicking off the latest conflict is legislation that would reduce the benefits that longtime solar customers receive for extra electricity they produce and export to the grid.

2 weeks ago | kqed.org | Laura Klivans

Apr 7Failed to save articlePlease try againIvan Israel Amezcua (left) and Ramon Heredia stand outside of their all-electric home in Richmond on March 21, 2025. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)If weather reports forecast extreme heat and people crank up their air conditioners in the afternoon, Israel Amezcua’s water heater will warm its tank in the morning. His showers will still be hot. Israel Amezcua avoids pulling power from the grid during the hours when it is expensive and in high demand.

1 month ago | kqed.org | Laura Klivans

Mar 23Failed to save articlePlease try againTraffic on Interstate 880 toward Oakland jammed packed with cars and diesel trucks midafternoon on Monday, June 28, 2021. The study on the decades-old ban of trucks on Interstate 580 in Oakland and San Leandro is expected to be completed next year.  (Joyce Tsai/KQED)Residents along the I-880 corridor in East Oakland experience some of the highest rates (PDF) of asthma hospitalizations in Alameda County, according to the county’s public health department.