Growing California’s Technology Dominance While Balancing Energy and Climate Objectives

When it comes to growing California’s leadership and competitiveness in AI, data centers and advanced manufacturing, how these industries and technologies get the power they need poses significant challenges, particularly as we work to meet the state’s aggressive climate goals while also making energy more affordable, resilient and sustainable for businesses and residents. Through the work of our Energy Committee and Climate Mitigation Task Force, the Bay Area Council is focused intently on addressing these complex challenges through a range of integrated strategies.

Last month, the Energy Committee behind the leadership of co-Chairs Carla Peterman from PG&E and Alex Makler from Calpine began the work of outlining our 2026 policy priorities around four key principles: Energy Availability, ensuring reliable and clean power for a growing region; Prosperity, supporting a competitive business climate and affordable energy system; Execution, focusing on implementation, permitting, and policy alignment; and Innovation, advancing the next generation of clean technologies and solutions. These principles will guide the Committee over the coming weeks and months in developing more detailed policy initiatives to drive progress.

Next week (Dec. 9), the Climate Mitigation Task Force behind the leadership of co-Chairs Regina Donaldson from Bayer and Nathan Fleischer from Apple will lead an important discussion on how expanding so-called bridge technologies can help California substantially reduce carbon emissions in the near-term while working towards longer-terms goals of reaching a zero-carbon future. The discussion will help inform a detailed memorandum on various bridge technologies and strategies that we will be sharing with legislators and other policymakers ahead of the 2026 Legislative session.

The Task Force will also welcome Poonum Patel, Deputy Director of Business Development at GO-Biz, for a discussion on how CEQA exemptions for advanced manufacturing that the Council helped secure under SB 131 can help advance the goals of expanding our technology and innovation leadership. To engage in our energy and climate policy work, please contact Policy Director Julian Lake.