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Kevin Cornish Named Covered California’s New Chief Information Officer

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Image:
https://www.coveredca.com

Covered California has a new executive to oversee the health agency’s IT strategy and tech initiatives, according to an announcement this week.  Kevin Cornish will serve as the chief information officer, replacing soon-to-retire Karen Ruiz, who has worked for Covered California since 2013 and has served as its CIO for the past five years.

Cornish has more than 31 years of experience in the IT industry. While at Kaiser Permanente, he led a multi-million dollar initiative to transform the healthcare provider’s technology infrastructure from the ground up. He then moved on to fill roles as CIO for the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, and most recently as chief technology officer for the University of California Office of the President.

“Kevin has spent more than three decades helping organizations build and expand their information technology infrastructure,” said Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee. “His knowledge, experience and passion will serve us well as Covered California continues its efforts to use technology to make health care work better for consumers and to support our team in serving millions of Californians.”

Covered California’s announcement can be found here.

Western EIM Governing Body elects John Prescott and Anita Decker as chair and vice chair

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The Western Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) Governing Body this week elected John Prescott and Anita Decker to serve as its chair and vice-chair, the California ISO announced on Wednesday.  The elections took place at EIM’s governing body meeting on June 30.

From the announcement:

Prescott has served on the Western EIM Governing Body since 2016. Prior to joining the Western EIM Governing Body, Prescott was president and chief executive officer of Pacific Northwest Generating Cooperative; served as power supply and environmental affairs officer for Seattle City Light; and was vice president of power supply for Idaho Power. He will serve as chair from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.

Decker joined the Western EIM Governing Body in 2019 following her retirement as the executive director of the Northwest Public Power Association. She previously served as chief operating officer for the Bonneville Power Administration, and held several positions during her 27-year career at PacifiCorp. Decker will serve as vice chair from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.

The Western EIM Governing Body oversees the Western EIM real-time energy market, which now has 11 participants and has collectively generated nearly $920 million in gross benefits since its launch in November 2014, according to the CAISO.

 

Governor signs legislation to create nonprofit takeover of PG&E if utility fails

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Gov. Newsom on Tuesday signed SB350 by Senator Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) that authorizes the creation of a new non-profit public benefit corporation, Golden State Energy (GSE), to acquire the Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) if the utility does not emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy or has its license revoked by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).

The legislation gives the CPUC authority to petition for a court-appointed receiver that would, under specified circumstances, take over the utility’s assets.

According to the Senate Floor Analysis:

This bill effectuates the acquisition of PG&E by GSE under three
scenarios: (1) failure to get reorganization plan confirmation by June 30, 2020 in
the bankruptcy court or, fails to secure financing and subsequent exit from
bankruptcy by September 30, 2020; (2) if PG&E attempts to sell the utility to a
third party before it exits bankruptcy; and (3) after exit from bankruptcy, if at some
future date PG&E fails in its safety obligations (reflected in the CPUC’s decision),
the CPUC could ultimately revoke PG&E’s CPCN which would trigger the sale of
the PG&E to GSE. However, PG&E’s plan has since been confirmed by the court
on Saturday, June 20th. Therefore, the failure to secure financing and exit from
bankruptcy by September 30, 2020 may prove to be the more salient current lever.
PG&E has agreed, as part of its plan, that it will sell the utility to GSE.

The legislation allows the governor to appoint five members to GSE, the Senate Committee on Rules two members, and the Assembly Speaker two members to form the initial board, with staggered terms, according to the analysis.

PG&E filed bankruptcy on Jan. 29,2019 after catastrophic fires in 2017 and 2018 resulted in $30 billion in potential liabilities.

Air Resources Board Approves Electric Truck Mandates

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The California Air Resources Board (CARB) unanimously approved a first-in-the-nation regulation mandating truck manufacturers to increase their sale of electric trucks in California through 2035.

CARB’s Advanced Clean Truck rule is designed to put more zero-emission vehicles on the road to help meet the State’s air quality across Southern California and the Central Valley.

CARB Chair Mary Nichols called the rule “the first of its kind in the world.”

Image: www.arb.ca.gov

The rule will start in 2024 with requirements for zero-emission trucks to make up 5 to 9 percent of sales, depending on truck size, and gradually increase through 2035, when 55 percent of sales of light trucks, 75 percent of medium- and heavy-duty trucks and 40 percent of tractor-trailers will have to be zero-emissions.

Governor Newsom praised the new rule calling it “… an example of California’s ability to stay the course on climate change… Even in the midst of a global pandemic, climate change is still an existential threat — both to our way of life and our children’s health. Communities and children of color are often forced to breathe our most polluted air, and today’s vote moves us closer toward a healthier future for all of our kids.”

CARB approved the regulation over industry objections, including truck and engine manufacturers and natural gas companies that would prefer the rule count natural gas-fueled vehicles toward the targets.

California Releases Open Source Tech, Data to Track COVID-19

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California has new technology tools and data to help government agencies and the public better understand the spread and impact of COVID-19, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on June 25.

Hosted in GitHub as open-source code for the public to use, the COVID Assessment Tool (CalCAT) helps scientists and researchers see short-term forecasts, trends, and scenarios based on modeling from across the United States.   The “model of models” will help assess the spread of the disease.

The governor also directed state agencies and departments to publish machine-readable data in its open data portal (data.ca.gov) to “to make accessible nearly all COVID-19 data and information.”

Out of a page from his book “Citizenville: How to Take the Town Square Digital and Reinvent Government,” Newsom wants to use unprecedented transparency to empower the public to help.

“We’re making available the capacity, for people to participate and help build our modeling capacity,” said Gov. Newsom at a press conference live-streamed. “Because one thing we recognize is the limitless of the capacity of expertise and talent that resides throughout the State of California throughout the United States. And for that matter, throughout the rest of the world, the information that we’re now making available is exactly the information we make available to county health officials and see the information that guides the incredible work that Mike Wilkening and, DJ Patil had been doing on our team.”

“We’re. Now we’re opening up to all of you,” he continued. “We’re opening up to mathematicians. We’re opening up to people that are experts in AI and opening up to our researchers and our scientists and our Nobel laureates and our partners across the spectrum… This goes beyond flat files, goes beyond APIs, and simple protocols. We’re doing something much more dynamic, something much more interactive, something that could truly bring to life, the visualization of this data in a much more timely way. It’s rather simple. We want to make the modeling more purposeful. We want to make more applications.”

Read Thursday’s announcement here.

 

Weekly Energy Digest for June 19, 2020

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Some energy-related news stories we’ve been reading this week …

California

Preparing for peak wildfire season in San Diego amid the pandemic

COVID-19 adds complications for Cal Fire and SDG&E as weather heats up. (San Diego Union-Tribune, June 19)

Federal Approval of Oil Well at Carrizo Plain National Monument Sparks Outrage

The Federal Bureau of Land Management has approved oil drilling in Carrizo Plain National Monument, sparking outrage among conservationists. (Los Angeles Times, June 18)

PG&E Ordered to Pay $4 Million for Camp Fire that Killed 84

PG&E Corp. was ordered to pay $4 million for its role in causing the 2018 fire that killed 84 people, a penalty the judge who imposed the sentence said didn’t fit the enormity of the crime. (Los Angeles Times, June 18)

Meet the New PG&E. It Looks a lot Like the Old PG&E

Pacific Gas & Electric Chief Executive Bill Johnson promised his company would emerge from bankruptcy a “reimagined utility.” But as PG&E prepares for life after Chapter 11 — a Bankruptcy Court judge filed a written decision Wednesday saying he would approve the company’s reorganization plan — it’s unclear there’s anything fundamentally different about the utility, which over the last decade has caused a deadly pipeline explosion, deadly fires and days-long power shut-offs affecting millions of people. (Los Angeles Times, June 18)

Families of California Wildfire Victims Slam PG&E for Crimes

The families of some of the 85 people killed by a horrific Northern California wildfire ignited by Pacific Gas & Electric’s long-neglected equipment vilified the company Wednesday as greedy, corrupt and reckless, telling heartbreaking stories of their loss in court. (Associated Press, June 18)

PG&E Becomes one of America’s Deadliest Corporate Criminals after Guilty Plea for Lethal Paradise Inferno

PG&E pleaded guilty Tuesday to killing 84 people during the devastating 2018 Camp Fire that destroyed the town of Paradise, a somber conclusion to a prosecution that showed the utility had failed to learn crucial lessons from the deadly San Bruno explosion and triggered the fatal wildfire. (San Jose Mercury, June 17)

California’s Gas Tax is Going Up Again. Amid Coronavirus, Some Say Now is Not the Time

California’s gas tax is set to increase July 1, but some lawmakers are calling for a freeze on the higher levy, citing the financial burden of the coronavirus-spawned recession on millions of the state’s residents. (Los Angeles Times, June 14)

PG&E Braces for a Hard Fire Season – and Blackouts – Amid Coronavirus

Wildfire season has arrived in California, and the company behind some of the state’s worst blazes is again preparing to take drastic measures to prevent more catastrophes — all while the whole state is simultaneously grappling with the coronavirus pandemic. (San Francisco Chronicle, June 13)

PG&E, Fire Victim Lawyers Reach Stock Deal in Bankruptcy Case

PG&E Corp. has agreed to provide more stock to pay wildfire victims as part of a deal that resolves one of the last hurdles in its waning bankruptcy case. (San Francisco Chronicle, June 13)

Nation/World

Shale Driller Chisholm Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Private-equity-owned Chisholm Oil & Gas has become the latest shale driller to file for bankruptcy, pushed into chapter 11 by a decline in commodity prices and production challenges in Oklahoma. (Wall Street Journal, June 18)

FERC Asks Puerto Rico LNG Importer Why it Built Terminal without Agency Approval

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission demanded that the owner of a natural gas import terminal in Puerto Rico explain why it did not seek agency approval before building the infrastructure that is now in service at the Port of San Juan. (S&P Global, June 18)

Talen-Owned Gas Plants Enter Third Bankruptcy Since 2014

A pair of natural-gas-fired power plants owned by Talen Energy are going into chapter 11 protection for the third time since 2014, and the plan is to hand ownership to senior creditors owed nearly $555 million. (Wall Street Journal, June 18)

BP Prepares for a Future That Needs Less Oil

The energy giant said its oil and gas assets were worth less, a move reflecting broad changes in the industry. (New York Times, June 15)

PG&E Names 11 New Board Members as Part of Bankruptcy Agreements

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As a condition of the Chapter 11 process, PG&E announced the selection of a new board of directors to who will be officially appointed once the utility emerges from bankruptcy, according to a press release issued on June 10.

“Putting in place a new Board is a critical component of PG&E’s plan to emerge from bankruptcy as a reimagined utility—one that is in touch with its customers and communities and is safe, reliable, financially stable, and capable of helping California meet its energy goals,” said Nora Mead Brownell, the current PG&E board chair.

From the press announcement, the new board includes (returning board members indicated with an asterisk):

Rajat Bahri: Currently CFO of Wish, a mobile eCommerce platform (2016-present), Bahri was previously CFO of Jasper Technologies (2013-2016), CFO of Trimble Navigation (2005-2013), and CFO of Kraft Canada (2001-2004).

Beyond his financial expertise, Bahri brings decades of experience in executive compensation, enterprise risk management, corporate governance, and the operation of audit committees.

*Cheryl Campbell: Currently providing safety and leadership consulting, Campbell has 35 years of energy experience in interstate pipelines and utilities. She previously spent 13 years at Xcel Energy (2004-2018), was member of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (2013-2018), and was also a member of the independent panel assessing the safety of 11 gas utilities in Massachusetts following the September 2018 explosions and fires in Merrimack Valley (2018-2020).

Campbell has extensive experience with risk management, employee and public safety, and regulatory, environmental, and operating plans in the gas industry.

Kerry Cooper: Most recently, Cooper served as President and COO of Rothy’s (2017-2020) and was previously CEO of Choose Energy (2013-2016) and both COO and CMO of ModCloth (2010-2013). He was also VP of Global eCommerce for Walmart (2010), and CMO and VP, Marketing and Strategy of Walmart (2008-2010).

Cooper has extensive experience in the consumer space, leveraging customer insights to create a better customer experience through a multi-channel approach, including mobile and online strategies.

Jessica Denecour: Most recently, Denecour was Senior VP and CIO of Varian Medical Systems. She previously served in numerous roles at Agilent Technologies, including VP of Global IT Applications and Solution Services (2005), VP of Global Infrastructure and Operations Services (2000-2004), and Senior Director and CIO of Test and Measurement Group (1999-2000). She also spent 16 years at Hewlett Packard.

Denecour joins the board with decades of experience in information technology and cybersecurity, having led IT transformations that encompassed customer, voice and data networks, data center operations, security, and technical computing.

Admiral Mark Ferguson: Currently, Admiral Ferguson is a Senior Advisor to private consultancies and the Institute for Defense Analysis and NATO Allied Command Transformation. After a 38-year career in the U.S. Navy, he retired in 2016, having served as Commander of the U.S. Naval Forces in Europe, Africa, and NATO Allied Joint Force Command (2014-2016). He was also Vice Chief of Naval Operations (2011-2014).

Through Ferguson’s leadership positions in the U.S. Navy, he brings the PG&E Board decades of experience in nuclear reactor operations, risk and change management, cyber preparedness, legislative initiatives, personnel operations, and the efficient management of transportation and equipment assets.

Bob Flexon: Most recently the CEO of Dynegy (2011-2018), Flexon was previously CFO of UGI (2001-2011). Flexon’s expertise is in finance and accounting in the chemicals, oil, and gas sectors. He brings experience in safety, workforce organization, and turnarounds, having led both Dynegy’s 2011 bankruptcy, and its culture transformation and M&A growth post-emergence.

Craig Fugate: Fugate is currently the Chief Emergency Management Officer of One Concern (2017-present), but previously served as Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (2009-2017) and the Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management (2001-2009).

Fugate joins the board with decades of experience at the local, state, and federal levels in disaster preparedness and management. He has overseen preparation and response efforts for disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, health crises, and national security threats.

Arno Harris: Currently Managing Partner of AHC (2015-present), Harris previously served as Executive Chair and CEO of Alta Motors (2017-2018). He was also the Founder, CEO, and Board Chair of Recurrent Energy (2006-2015), CEO and General Manager of EI Solutions (2005-2006), and Founder and CEO of Prevalent Power, Inc. (2001-2004).

Harris has dedicated his career to solving climate change through the intersection of technology, business, and public policy. He has extensive experience in the clean energy and electric mobility sectors with a focus on innovation, change, and advocacy.

Mike Niggli: Niggli most recently spent 13 years at Sempra Energy, including President and COO of San Diego Gas & Electric (2010-2013), COO of San Diego Gas & Electric (2007-2010), COO of Southern California Gas (2006-2007), and President of Sempra Generation (2000-2006). He was also Chairman, CEO and President of Sierra Pacific Resources/Nevada Power Company (1998-2000).

Niggli brings long-time leadership experience in regulated utilities. He has strong relationships across the industry with significant accomplishments in areas of reliability, customer satisfaction, supplier diversity, and climate-oriented management.

Dean Seavers: Most recently, Seavers was President and Executive Director of National Grid (2015-2020). He was previously Founder, CEO, and board member of Red Hawk Fire & Security (2012-2018); President of Global Services of United Technologies Fire and Security (2010-2011); and President and CEO of GE Security (2007-2010).

Following a long career in managing operations in commercial and residential security companies, Seavers led National Grid’s business transformation, which included a focus on safety culture and performance. He is experienced in customer-centric initiatives and led the division of National Grid’s utilities into jurisdictions with jurisdictional presidents.

*Bill Smith: Smith is currently the interim CEO of PG&E Corporation. Previously, he spent 37 years with AT&T Technology Operations at AT&T Services, Inc. Smith brings to PG&E decades of operational and transformation experience in large and heavily regulated, consumer-facing organizations with expertise in data center and information technology operations, field operations, planning, engineering, construction, provisioning, and maintenance.

Dara Treseder: Currently CMO of Carbon (2018-present), Treseder was previously CMO of GE Business Innovations and GE Ventures (2017-2018) and Global Head of Demand Generation of Apple’s FileMaker Division (2015-2017). Treseder is experienced in leading marketing and communications in highly regulated industries and driving customer engagement to increase growth. She brings expertise and focus to digital transformations.

Ben Wilson: Wilson is currently chairman of the national law firm Beveridge & Diamond PC (2017-present), where he has spent his career since 1986. Through his work litigating and advising clients on environmental issues, as well as his service as Monitor for the Duke Energy coal ash spill remediation project and as Deputy Monitor in the Volkswagen emissions proceedings, Wilson brings extensive experience in workplace safety, relevant environmental and wildlife protection legislation, and the need for communication, accountability, and transparency in dealing with customers and regulators.

*John Woolard: Currently CEO of Meridian Energy and Senior Partner at Activate Capital, Woolard previously served as President and CEO of BrightSource Energy (2006-2013), CEO of Silicon Energy Corp. (1998-2003), and VP of Energy at Google (2014-2016).

Woolard has more than 20 years of leadership experience in the energy technology sector developing world-class clean energy projects. He also has extensive expertise in software and grid modernization solutions, as well as California’s regulatory and policy goals in the energy sector.

NASCIO Report Outlines ‘Four Forces’ CIOs Should Consider for Legacy Modernization

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The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) this week issued a new report titled The State CIO Operating Model: Leveraging the Power of the Four Forces, a guide for states to consider when working on legacy modernization projects.  The advice is underscored by added pressure on government programs, such as unemployment systems, during the COVID-19 lockdown.

“The Four Forces in the Government Change Framework are Political Forces, Market Forces, Customer Forces and Inertial Forces. The Four Forces drive and influence the ability of a leader to effect change in government,” says the report. “As an enterprise leader, the state CIO must be more than aware of these forces. These forces must be managed, leveraged, explained and, when necessary, accepted.”

Michael Leahy, CIO for the State of Maryland, and Todd Kimbriel, former CIO for the State of Texas, spoke with NASCIO about the report and discuss examples in their respective states.

 

Legislation to Regulate Facial Recognition Technology Stalls

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Assembly Bill 2261 by Assemblymember Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park), which would regulate the way government agencies use facial recognition technology (FRT), was stalled in committee this week.

Image: https://a49.asmdc.org/

Chau introduced the legislation in February to protect Californians’ privacy as the use of FRT grows with rising ethical concerns.

“While FRT technology has existed for decades, only recently has it begun to pervade our everyday lives at an exponential rate. From assisting smartphone users in unlocking their phones to its use in retail stores, concerts and airports, FRT serves the purpose of identifying people for a variety of reasons,” said Chau at an informational hearing in March.  “The use of FRT, however, brings with it ethical and legal questions that we must answer, as its application becomes more prevalent in our everyday lives.”

From the May 31 Appropriations Committee analysis:

This bill regulates the use of facial recognition technology (FRT) and requires state and local agencies using or intending to use FRT to provide an accountability report demonstrating compliance with required regulations every two years. Specifically, this bill:

1) Mandates any agency using FRT obtain consent from an individual, except in certain circumstances, before enrolling an image in a facial recognition service (FRS) used in any physical premise open to the public.

2) Requires any agency using FRT to ensure any decisions made on the basis of FRT are subject to meaningful human review.

3) Provides any local or state agency that uses or intends to use FRT must provide an accountability report every two years, make that report available to the public and submit an accountability to report to an as-yet-unnamed state agency.

4) Requires the State Auditor, on or before January 1, 2023, and biannually thereafter, to conduct an independent audit and report of all state and local agencies deploying FRT to evaluate compliance with the mandates of this bill. 

5) Requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to bring injunctive action against any person or entity that violates the requirements of this bill. Civil penalties include $2,500 for each violation and $7,500 for any intentional violation of this bill.

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