California’s energy grid is threatened by climate-driven wildfires and increasing demand due to economic growth and warmer temperatures. The Bay Area Council Energy Committee advances policies to ensure California has a reliable, affordable, diverse and clean energy future to achieve the state’s 2045 clean energy goals.
Key Priorities
- Maintain the operation of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant and advance next-generation nuclear energy. The Bay Area Council supports extending the life of Diablo Canyon as a vital source of reliable, carbon-free electricity that strengthens grid stability during California’s clean energy transition. The Council will also advocate for policies that allow innovation in nuclear technology, including exempting Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) from California’s nuclear moratorium so the state can explore safe, scalable, zero-carbon power options.
- Accelerate carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) to meet California’s climate goals. State climate analyses make clear that widespread deployment of Carbon Capture and Storage will be necessary to achieve California’s emissions targets. The Bay Area Council will work to educate policymakers, reduce regulatory and permitting barriers, and support implementation of SB 905 by Anna Caballero, helping establish a clear framework for carbon capture, utilization, and storage projects across the state.
- Promote emerging energy solutions to meet growing electricity demand. As electrification accelerates across California’s economy, the state must expand reliable sources of clean power. The Bay Area Council will convene local and state leaders to explore emerging sectors—including nuclear energy, quantum computing, advanced data centers, and artificial intelligence—and the infrastructure needed to support California’s energy and economic future.
Energy Committee Co-Chairs
- Alex Makler, Senior Vice President, West Region, Calpine
- Carla Peterman, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer, PG&E
Climate Mitigation Task Force
The Climate Change Mitigation Task Force develops pro-growth policy recommendations to cut green tape and speed corporate decarbonization efforts. We help leading Bay Area companies achieve their emissions reductions goals to ensure the Bay Area leads the emerging post-carbon economy.
Key Priorities
- Make California a Leader in Advanced Manufacturing. The Bay Area Council is working to position California as a competitive destination for advanced manufacturing by building a coalition of businesses and industry groups advocating policies that support reshoring and modern production. The effort focuses on regulatory reforms and streamlined permitting to help next-generation manufacturing industries grow in California. The Council played a central role in shaping SB 131, securing a CEQA exemption critical to advancing modern manufacturing projects. Despite strong opposition from environmental groups, the Council led the coalition defending the exemption and defeated a last-minute effort to overturn it. With opponents continuing to challenge the policy, the Council is strengthening its coalition and engaging legislators and the Governor’s office to protect and reinforce the law ahead of the 2026 legislative session.
- Facilitate the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). California has set an ambitious goal for Sustainable Aviation Fuel to reach 85 percent of aviation fuel use by 2045, up from roughly 1 percent today. The Bay Area Council is working with partners to create a judicial streamlining and regulatory framework that reduces permitting time and costs for SAF refining projects while advocating for strong incentives and policy certainty within the Low Carbon Fuel Standard. In partnership with Airlines for America, the Council recruited Blanca Rubio to author AB 839 to provide judicial streamlining for SAF production facilities. The bill passed the Assembly but was held in the Senate amid broader tensions over CEQA policy. The Council is now working with coalition partners to position AB 839 as a successful two-year bill for passage in 2026.
- Facilitate bridge technologies to support the clean energy transition. The Bay Area Council supports the deployment of pragmatic “bridge technologies” that reduce emissions while maintaining energy reliability and affordability during California’s transition to a fully decarbonized economy. This includes advancing solutions such as Biomethane and other lower-carbon fuels that can leverage existing infrastructure while delivering near-term emissions reductions. The Council will work with policymakers, regulators, and industry partners to remove regulatory barriers, create stable market signals, and ensure that bridge technologies can scale as part of California’s broader climate strategy.
Climate Mitigation Task Force Co-Chairs
- Regina Donaldson, Site Engineering/Sustainability VACC & Energy Management, Bayer
- Nathan Fleischer, Energy Operations Manager, Apple
Get Involved
All our energy and climate-focused committees are open to Bay Area Council members. To find our committee meetings and other events check out our upcoming events calendar. For more information, please contact Vice President Julian Lake.
