California Makes $495 Million Investment in Transportation Infrastructure
On Friday, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) allotted more than $495 million for projects aimed at repairing and enhancing transportation infrastructure throughout the state.
New Law Aims for Digital Equity in Broadband Services
Senate Bill (SB) 28, by state Senator Anna Caballero (SD 12), was signed into law earlier this month—and revises the DIVCA of 2006—including changes to the type of information collected by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) from state franchise holders. The CPUC can use the collected data to enforce customer service requirements on cable and internet service providers (ISPs). If the service providers fail to meet their franchise license obligations, they will be shut down.
Governor Signs Bill to Develop Offshore Wind Industry
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill to help develop offshore wind (OSW), AB 525, into law—along with several other bills related to clean energy and environmental preparedness efforts.
‘Dig Once’ Legislation Aims to Accelerate Broadband Deployment, Awaits Action by Governor
Legislation intended to accelerate the deployment of broadband infrastructure by calling for a “Dig Once” policy has passed the Legislature and currently awaits final action by Gov. Newsom. Assembly Bill (AB) 41 by Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Santa Rosa) proposes to follow practices used in other states to minimize the number of excavations when installing telecommunications infrastructure.
New Mobile App Gives California Residents a Warning Seconds Before Quakes Hit
When it comes to emergencies, especially natural disasters, seconds can mean the difference between life and death. MyShake is a mobile app that alerts California residents a few seconds before an earthquake hits, allowing time to take cover or get to a nearby safe spot.
Legislature Approves New Office of Wildfire Technology Research and Development
California is notorious for being in flames in what seems like an endless wildfire season. Factors including climate change and an increasing population in locations with flammable materials—like fuel and dry brush—all contribute to wildfires and the unpredictable damages they cause.
California Selects Nonprofit as Broadband Partner
As part of a massive effort to improve broadband infrastructure, the state today announced it is partnering with a third-party administrator (TPA) to oversee California's middle-mile broadband initiative. CENIC California Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative, LLC will serve as the TPA to manage the development and construction of broadband networks as part of this year's state budget allocation aimed at closing the digital divide.
California Department of Technology Hires Chief Product Officer
The California Department of Technology (CDT) has just hired California's first-ever Chief Product Officer, veteran technology professional Michael Cave.
Little Hoover Commission Calls on Government to Continue Virtual Meetings
In its new report, California’s independent government watchdog says that it would be more cost-efficient to make state government more accessible by permitting fully remote public meetings, even after the pandemic is over. (image: iStockphoto.com)
Nonprofit creates open-source digital infrastructure for agriculture industry
A nonprofit organization is aiming to help modernize the global agriculture industry by launching an open-source technology project to serve as a platform and tool suite to help feed the world and reduce agricultural waste.
Will California’s power grid withstand heatwaves this summer?
The California Independent System Operator (ISO) projects electricity supply for summer 2021 to be better than last year. Although a series of policy changes and redesigns of ISO’s system has occurred, along with improved communications and coordination protocols, the power grid is still prone to be overstressed during extreme heat waves—according to the ISO’s summer outlook released this month.
New report calls for government innovation to solve digital inequities
The COVID-19 pandemic has unironically highlighted the digital divide, especially considering how many Americans attend school and work meetings—or even shop—from the comfort of their homes. But, there’s no surprise that many Californians do not have broadband connectivity in their homes.
Broadband access hits record high, digital divide remains for disadvantaged
A new report out this week says that while Californians are connected to the Internet at a record percentage in 2021, nearly 2 million households remain digitally-disadvantaged. The Digital Divide has grown more acute for low-income and Latino households, seniors, and people with disabilities, according to a survey by the California Emerging Technology Fund and USC.
Grants awarded to protect vulnerable communities from PSPS
The State of California is distributing $50 million in Community Power Resiliency grants aimed to protect local and vulnerable communities from the effects of utility-initiated power shutoffs. The grants will be distributed through the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES).
National Lab Report Calls for State Working Group on Carbon Capture Storage Projects
California Executive Order B-55-18 set the goal of reaching carbon neutrality no later than 2045, with the hope of achieving and upholding negative emissions.
PPIC report measures California’s digital divide
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, a record-high 84 percent of Californians are using high-speed internet at home—up 10 percent from 2017. The pandemic has shifted many, if not most, activities to online; Californians are using the internet for activities like accessing financial services, telecommuting, job hunting, distanced academic learning, or virtual job training.
Proposal aims to develop offshore wind power industry in California
A new legislative proposal seeks to create an offshore wind-power industry in California aimed at helping the state achieve its renewable energy goals.
Broadband Action Plan Aims for Equity
The future is already here, it’s just not evenly distributed, said Economist writer William Gibson. The same idea applies to broadband connectivity in California, and the state’s latest action plan aims to bring all citizens up to speed.
California approves $115 million for hydrogen fueling stations
The California Energy Commission (CEC) approved a plan on December 9 that will invest up to $115 million to increase the number of fueling stations in California that support hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Up to 111 new hydrogen fueling stations will be built in the state by 2027 under the new plan.
New site tracks grid outages
The California Independent System Operator (ISO) launched a 2021 Summer Readiness webpage to help the public understand the August 2020 outages. The webpage offers quick access to data and reports as well as provides the causes and recent evaluations of the rotating power outages implemented in August.