Welcome to Switzer Network News, a regular series of news reports produced by Jerry Kay of Media Interchange and Switzer Fellows. These reports profile the environmental accomplishments and innovations of Switzer Fellows as leaders in their respective fields. We encourage you to subscribe to our reports which are available via iTunes, Google, and Yahoo, as well as email.
Now Viewing Energy & Climate Change Podcasts
How Will California Get to 33% Renewables by 2020?
Thursday, January 12, 2012
As an energy analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), Laura Wisland focuses on developing state policies that will effectively increase the amount of renewable energy used in California. She provides technical and policy analysis to legislative and regulatory agencies to successfully guide implementation of the state's renewables electricity standard and designs effective electricity sector climate change policies in accordance with the state's landmark global warming bill.
Prior to working with UCS, Ms. Wisland was the director of the California Hydropower Reform Coalition where she helped design several state and federal policies to reduce the environmental impacts of California’s existing network of hydropower dams. She also worked for the energy division of the California Public Utilities Commission on implementation of the Renewable Portfolio Standard and for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, where she helped develop new demand response programs for the California ancillary services market.
Ms. Wisland has a master's degree from UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy, and a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill honors program in public policy.
(bio from the Union of Concerned Scientists website)
Building Energy Efficiency
Thursday, September 23, 2010
About one-third of the homes in California are multi-family units and saving energy in these units has significant potential. Beckie Menten, Switzer Fellow and Research Fellow with the California Public Utilities Commission, offers a perspective on this issue.
Creating Sustainable Communities
Friday, July 2, 2010
In 1997, this California city began to face the challenge of sustainability on a community level. Today, Oakland enjoys cleaner air, improved recycling, more bike lanes – and a consistent ranking in the Top Ten U.S. Green Cities. Garrett Fitzgerald, Oakland’s Sustainability Coordinator and a Switzer Fellow, shares key steps.
Climate Change and Biodiversity
Thursday, January 28, 2010
A panel discussion sponsored by the Switzer Foundation with Switzer fellows Katrina Schneider (SYRCL), Dr. Amy Leurs (Google.org), Dr. Healy Hamilton (California Academy of Sciences), Steven Rothert (American Rivers) and facilitated by Dr. Elizabeth Soderstrom (American Rivers).
