Council Welcomes Sec. Xavier Becerra for Frank, Substantive Conversation
The Bay Area Council Executive Committee behind the leadership of CEO Libby Schaaf and Chair Tony Mestres yesterday (Sept. 1) welcomed California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra for a frank and substantive conversation touching on a wide range of critical issues, from AI and data centers to energy, insurance, housing and transportation.
Sec. Becerra positioned himself as a strong pragmatist who will focus on leveraging and balancing all necessary strategies, tactics and partners to address key challenges and accomplish what is needed to advance his and California’s interests.
That pragmatism was on full display in his response to an opening question on whether he supports extending the operation of Diablo Canyon Power Plant to 2045, key priority for the Bay Area Council and a decision on which Gov. Newsom recently said he is leaving to his successor. Becerra said he supports extending Diablo Canyon but that California needs an all-of-the-above approach to energy. Should he win in November, Becerra said he plans to go big on expanding solar and battery storage – and he was adamant that those batteries should be manufactured here in California. Recognizing that Californians are still heavily reliant on fossil fuels, he said the state must work with oil companies and refineries to keep prices affordable while it makes a planned transition to less carbon-intensive sources.
Sec. Becerra also made clear that he is eager to partner with the Council and the business community more broadly not only on areas of mutual interest but in deepening understanding and cooperation on issues where the two may not be fully aligned. That came through during a frank but constructive discussion on how growing wildfire risk statewide is creating big impacts for both consumers and the insurance industry and the importance of finding the right balance of market-driven and regulatory levers to ensure a healthy and functioning insurance marketplace that can provide fair, adequate and affordable coverage.
Of course, the booming AI industry also figured prominently in the discussion. Becerra acknowledged California’s outsized leadership as an AI powerhouse and the potential for AI to produce significant scientific, economic and social benefits. But he also noted his deep concerns about both security and accountability in developing and deploying the technology and the potential impact AI could have in displacing workers.
The Bay Area Council is grateful for the opportunity to meet with Secretary Becerra, learn more about his priorities and agenda and discuss how we can work together. Thank you to Hanson Bridgett Managing Partner and Chief Executive Kristina Lawson for hosting this important discussion.
