Matt Vespa
@missionvespa.bsky.social
Clean energy attorney at https://earthjustice.org/ working to dismantle fossil fuel industry with focus on building electrification and utility accountability in CA. Adjunct Professor of Renewable Energy Law & Policy at Berkeley Law. 🏳️🌈 ⚡️🏠
Reposted by Matt Vespa
This is a major win for clean air and equitable climate solutions! We’re glad to see CA leading so that as many people as possible can upgrade their homes with healthier and non-polluting appliances 🎉
@californiapuc.bsky.social @earthjustice.org
@californiapuc.bsky.social @earthjustice.org
California is set to launch a window heat pump and a 120-V induction pilot program!
“We’re glad to see California invest in equitable solutions that will help bring healthy all-electric appliances into environmental justice communities” - Feby Boediarto, @ceja.org
earthjustice.org/press/2025/c...
“We’re glad to see California invest in equitable solutions that will help bring healthy all-electric appliances into environmental justice communities” - Feby Boediarto, @ceja.org
earthjustice.org/press/2025/c...
California To Launch Window Heat Pump and 120 Volt Induction Pilot Programs
California Market Transformation Administrator to launch two programs helping more homes electrify appliances
earthjustice.org
November 25, 2025 at 6:00 PM
This is a major win for clean air and equitable climate solutions! We’re glad to see CA leading so that as many people as possible can upgrade their homes with healthier and non-polluting appliances 🎉
@californiapuc.bsky.social @earthjustice.org
@californiapuc.bsky.social @earthjustice.org
Good news! @californiapuc.bsky.social approves funding to get affordable window heat pumps and 120V induction stoves onto store shelves. These plug-in technologies will help ensure all Californians can access the health and comfort benefits of electrification. 🔌⚡
earthjustice.org/press/2025/c...
earthjustice.org/press/2025/c...
California To Launch Window Heat Pump and 120 Volt Induction Pilot Programs
California Market Transformation Administrator to launch two programs helping more homes electrify appliances
earthjustice.org
November 20, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Good news! @californiapuc.bsky.social approves funding to get affordable window heat pumps and 120V induction stoves onto store shelves. These plug-in technologies will help ensure all Californians can access the health and comfort benefits of electrification. 🔌⚡
earthjustice.org/press/2025/c...
earthjustice.org/press/2025/c...
Reposted by Matt Vespa
I’m old enough to remember being an expert witness for EarthJustice to implement the Energy Storage Roadmap and mandate in 2014-15, the CPUC proceeding where we were literally defined what counted as “energy storage.” Wild to see how far we’ve come.
California has installed 17,000 MW of batteries connected to the electricity grid, up from 500 MW in 2020. 🔋🔌💡
November 14, 2025 at 11:37 PM
I’m old enough to remember being an expert witness for EarthJustice to implement the Energy Storage Roadmap and mandate in 2014-15, the CPUC proceeding where we were literally defined what counted as “energy storage.” Wild to see how far we’ve come.
Reposted by Matt Vespa
This is an excellent thread that largely tracks my own experience from my time at the Club (granted, I left right before Jealous started). There is just no scenario where attempting to reckon with the organization's history and build a more inclusive vision of environmentalism was the problem.
I was at the Sierra Club during the period described in this article and although I have my criticisms, it gets the issues in the Club fundamentally wrong. A 🧵
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
The Sierra Club Embraced Social Justice. Then It Tore Itself Apart.
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:50 PM
This is an excellent thread that largely tracks my own experience from my time at the Club (granted, I left right before Jealous started). There is just no scenario where attempting to reckon with the organization's history and build a more inclusive vision of environmentalism was the problem.
@earthjustice.org is hiring a junior clean energy attorney in our SF office. Come help me hold utilities accountable and get California off fossil fuels! earthjustice.org/job/associat...
Associate Attorney, Clean Energy
Earthjustice seeks an Associate Attorney with up to three years of litigation experience to join the Clean Energy Program and be based at our San Francisco headquarters. The Associate Attorney will su...
earthjustice.org
October 31, 2025 at 5:00 PM
@earthjustice.org is hiring a junior clean energy attorney in our SF office. Come help me hold utilities accountable and get California off fossil fuels! earthjustice.org/job/associat...
Reposted by Matt Vespa
Thank you, @governor.ca.gov, for standing strong for Californians and the right to breathe clean air.
This piece of legislation would have made it more difficult to shape clean air policies in Southern California, the nation's smog capital.
This piece of legislation would have made it more difficult to shape clean air policies in Southern California, the nation's smog capital.
In case you missed the good news: @governor.ca.gov vetoed #SB34, a dangerous bill that would have made it more difficult to clean the air in the nation’s smog capital
earthjustice.org/press/2025/i...
earthjustice.org/press/2025/i...
In a Win for Clean Air and Common Sense, Governor Newsom Vetoes SB 34
Legislation would have tied Southern California air regulators’ hands and made it more difficult to shape clean air policies in the nation’s smog capital
earthjustice.org
October 17, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Thank you, @governor.ca.gov, for standing strong for Californians and the right to breathe clean air.
This piece of legislation would have made it more difficult to shape clean air policies in Southern California, the nation's smog capital.
This piece of legislation would have made it more difficult to shape clean air policies in Southern California, the nation's smog capital.
Reposted by Matt Vespa
VICTORY: @governor.ca.gov just signed #AB1167 to prevent utilities from forcing customers to pay for utility lobbying and advertising costs!
earthjustice.org/press/2025/c...
earthjustice.org/press/2025/c...
October 14, 2025 at 5:15 PM
VICTORY: @governor.ca.gov just signed #AB1167 to prevent utilities from forcing customers to pay for utility lobbying and advertising costs!
earthjustice.org/press/2025/c...
earthjustice.org/press/2025/c...
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Today we are taking politics out of Californian’s utility bills and putting an end to the use of ratepayer funds for the political and promotional benefit of IOUs. (1/2)
October 12, 2025 at 1:20 AM
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
You are on a roll today @gavinnewsom.bsky.social, let's keep it up! Show Californians you care more about them than for-profit utilities and sign #AB1167 to keep the costs of their lobbying and PR campaigns out of our energy bills!
October 10, 2025 at 8:17 PM
You are on a roll today @gavinnewsom.bsky.social, let's keep it up! Show Californians you care more about them than for-profit utilities and sign #AB1167 to keep the costs of their lobbying and PR campaigns out of our energy bills!
Reposted by Matt Vespa
This is the last bill sitting on Gov. Newsom's desk that can lower utility bills from this session. Utilities are lobbying furiously against it.
If you’re from California and want to register your opinion about AB 1167, call the Gov. at (916) 445-2841.
If you’re from California and want to register your opinion about AB 1167, call the Gov. at (916) 445-2841.
There's a bill on Gavin Newsom's desk right now that would stop monopoly utility companies from adding the costs of their lobbying and PR campaigns into customers' bills.
It's unclear if Newsome will sign the bill, despite 93% of voters agreeing with its premise.
It's unclear if Newsome will sign the bill, despite 93% of voters agreeing with its premise.
October 10, 2025 at 5:34 PM
This is the last bill sitting on Gov. Newsom's desk that can lower utility bills from this session. Utilities are lobbying furiously against it.
If you’re from California and want to register your opinion about AB 1167, call the Gov. at (916) 445-2841.
If you’re from California and want to register your opinion about AB 1167, call the Gov. at (916) 445-2841.
#AB1167 is still on the Governor’s desk. Let’s keep up the pressure and get this signed!
If you live in California and you want lower utility bills, and not to be forced to pay every month for those ubiquitous PG&E ads, and all the other insidious things your utility does to lobby our leaders, now’s the time to call Gov. Newsom at (916) 445-2841. Ask him to sign #AB1167.
It's not the only or even the main reason @governor.ca.gov
should sign it, but this bill is tailor-made for him to say "I will stand up to powerful interests to lower your monthly bills."
Seems like the kinda thing he wants to communicate!
energyandpolicy.org/california-l...
should sign it, but this bill is tailor-made for him to say "I will stand up to powerful interests to lower your monthly bills."
Seems like the kinda thing he wants to communicate!
energyandpolicy.org/california-l...
October 9, 2025 at 9:45 PM
#AB1167 is still on the Governor’s desk. Let’s keep up the pressure and get this signed!
💯. @governor.ca.gov - be the Governor that stood up to for-profit utilities and sign #AB1167 to make California the 7th state to protect customers from footing the bill for their lobbying and promotional campaigns!
Gov. Newsom should sign AB 1167 to keep costs down for utility ratepayers by ensuring they are not forced to subsidize utilities’ political lobbying and PR, our @denisegrab.bsky.social writes at @legal-planet.org.
legal-planet.org/2025/10/08/s...
legal-planet.org/2025/10/08/s...
Signing AB 1167 Would be a Win for Energy Affordability - Legal Planet
AB 1167, which seeks to protect ratepayers from subsidizing utility lobbying, still awaits Governor Newsom’s signature.
legal-planet.org
October 8, 2025 at 5:26 PM
💯. @governor.ca.gov - be the Governor that stood up to for-profit utilities and sign #AB1167 to make California the 7th state to protect customers from footing the bill for their lobbying and promotional campaigns!
Next up, let's sign #AB1167 to protect Californians from footing the bill for monopoly utilities' lobbying engines!
✅ builds guardrails and defines activities utilities must pay for
✅ increases transparency to spot abuses of customer funds
✅ establishes consequences for utilities that break the law
✅ builds guardrails and defines activities utilities must pay for
✅ increases transparency to spot abuses of customer funds
✅ establishes consequences for utilities that break the law
I just signed legislation to further protect consumers and put money back in your pocket, including:
✅ Making it easier to get food delivery app refunds
✅ Banning car retailers from tacking on add-on services
✅ Strengthening our Financial Protection Department after Trump's gutting of the CFPB
✅ Making it easier to get food delivery app refunds
✅ Banning car retailers from tacking on add-on services
✅ Strengthening our Financial Protection Department after Trump's gutting of the CFPB
October 7, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Next up, let's sign #AB1167 to protect Californians from footing the bill for monopoly utilities' lobbying engines!
✅ builds guardrails and defines activities utilities must pay for
✅ increases transparency to spot abuses of customer funds
✅ establishes consequences for utilities that break the law
✅ builds guardrails and defines activities utilities must pay for
✅ increases transparency to spot abuses of customer funds
✅ establishes consequences for utilities that break the law
Still awaiting signature - commonsense legislation supported by over 90% of CA voters that will make sure utilities don't pass the costs of their lobbying and image polishing into energy bills.
@gavinnewsom.bsky.social: let’s save people money and sign #AB1167!
earthjustice.org/experts/matt...
@gavinnewsom.bsky.social: let’s save people money and sign #AB1167!
earthjustice.org/experts/matt...
October 7, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Still awaiting signature - commonsense legislation supported by over 90% of CA voters that will make sure utilities don't pass the costs of their lobbying and image polishing into energy bills.
@gavinnewsom.bsky.social: let’s save people money and sign #AB1167!
earthjustice.org/experts/matt...
@gavinnewsom.bsky.social: let’s save people money and sign #AB1167!
earthjustice.org/experts/matt...
Reposted by Matt Vespa
Governor Newsom has a bill on his desk to hold utilities accountable, and get them to stop passing along their dark money campaigns to everyday Californians.
Is he going to side with utilities, or side with the public and help lower electricity rates?
energyandpolicy.org/california-l...
Is he going to side with utilities, or side with the public and help lower electricity rates?
energyandpolicy.org/california-l...
California passes bill curbing utilities use of ratepayer money for political spending
State lawmakers last week made California the seventh state to pass a bill limiting investor-owned utilities from using customer money to pay for political and lobbying costs.
energyandpolicy.org
October 6, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Governor Newsom has a bill on his desk to hold utilities accountable, and get them to stop passing along their dark money campaigns to everyday Californians.
Is he going to side with utilities, or side with the public and help lower electricity rates?
energyandpolicy.org/california-l...
Is he going to side with utilities, or side with the public and help lower electricity rates?
energyandpolicy.org/california-l...
It takes a LOT to get a bill all the way through the CA legislature. Help us seal the deal by asking @cagovernornewsom.bsky.social to sign AB 1167 (protecting Californians from paying utility political & promotional costs in their energy bills) and AB 1280 (supporting industrial electrification)!
TAKE ACTION and tell @governor.ca.gov to sign these commonsense bills into law
earthjustice.org/action/tell-...
earthjustice.org/action/tell-...
Tell Newsom to sign these commonsense bills into law
Tell Newsom to sign these commonsense bills into law
earthjustice.org
September 30, 2025 at 9:34 PM
It takes a LOT to get a bill all the way through the CA legislature. Help us seal the deal by asking @cagovernornewsom.bsky.social to sign AB 1167 (protecting Californians from paying utility political & promotional costs in their energy bills) and AB 1280 (supporting industrial electrification)!
Reposted by Matt Vespa
Gov. Newsom has made lowering utility bills a top priority. One thing that he can do that would help both immediately and over time: sign AB 1167, now sitting on his desk, which protects Californians from having to pay for utilities' lobbying and advertising! energyandpolicy.org/california-l...
California passes bill curbing utilities use of ratepayer money for political spending
State lawmakers last week made California the seventh state to pass a bill limiting investor-owned utilities from using customer money to pay for political and lobbying costs.
energyandpolicy.org
September 26, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Gov. Newsom has made lowering utility bills a top priority. One thing that he can do that would help both immediately and over time: sign AB 1167, now sitting on his desk, which protects Californians from having to pay for utilities' lobbying and advertising! energyandpolicy.org/california-l...
Its happening! California cities including Menlo Park, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, and Mountain View have adopted smart new policies to encourage heat pump upgrades when air conditioners break. The goal? Lower bills, cleaner air, and reduced climate pollution. ⚡🔌
www.sierraclub.org/press-releas...
www.sierraclub.org/press-releas...
California Cities Embrace Novel Strategy to Cut Energy Bills and Climate Pollution: Target Air Conditioner Replacements
Heat pumps provide highly-efficient cooling and heating in a single unit, meaning households that upgrade can often get rid of their polluting gas furnace entirely and cut a key source of climate and ...
www.sierraclub.org
September 26, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Its happening! California cities including Menlo Park, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, and Mountain View have adopted smart new policies to encourage heat pump upgrades when air conditioners break. The goal? Lower bills, cleaner air, and reduced climate pollution. ⚡🔌
www.sierraclub.org/press-releas...
www.sierraclub.org/press-releas...
Reposted by Matt Vespa
It's crucial to question the clean energy industry's self-defeating, destructive strategy in dealing with the Trump Administration. Adopting the energy-dominance framing doesn't work - but does make it easier for fossil actors to blame decarb for energy cost rises. More:
bsky.app/profile/jlap...
bsky.app/profile/jlap...
President Trump keeps promising "energy dominance." Renewable energy companies keep begging MAGA Republicans to let them help.
Thing is, "energy dominance" is a ridiculous lie. Everyone knows it. Wind and solar companies need to punch back.
My column: www.latimes.com/environment/...
Thing is, "energy dominance" is a ridiculous lie. Everyone knows it. Wind and solar companies need to punch back.
My column: www.latimes.com/environment/...
Commentary: Trump's campaign against wind and solar is exposing his 'energy dominance' lies
Solar and wind companies need to start punching back.
www.latimes.com
September 25, 2025 at 6:34 PM
It's crucial to question the clean energy industry's self-defeating, destructive strategy in dealing with the Trump Administration. Adopting the energy-dominance framing doesn't work - but does make it easier for fossil actors to blame decarb for energy cost rises. More:
bsky.app/profile/jlap...
bsky.app/profile/jlap...
93% of CA voters agree that utilities should not charge customers for their lobbying, PR, and marketing campaigns. AB 1167 & SB 24 deliver commonsense guardrails to protect customers. @gavinnewsom.bsky.social these bills deserve your signature! energyandpolicy.org/california-l...
California passes bill curbing utilities use of ratepayer money for political spending
State lawmakers last week made California the seventh state to pass a bill limiting investor-owned utilities from using customer money to pay for political and lobbying costs.
energyandpolicy.org
September 18, 2025 at 4:17 PM
93% of CA voters agree that utilities should not charge customers for their lobbying, PR, and marketing campaigns. AB 1167 & SB 24 deliver commonsense guardrails to protect customers. @gavinnewsom.bsky.social these bills deserve your signature! energyandpolicy.org/california-l...
Let’s get it done #caleg. Time to stop for profit utilities from slipping their lobbying costs into Californians energy bills. YES on AB 1167/SB 24!
a23.asmdc.org/press-releas...
a23.asmdc.org/press-releas...
Berman and McNerney Announce Joint Effort to Protect CA Ratepayers from Utilities’ Abuses | Official Website - Assemblymember Marc Berman Representing the 23rd California Assembly District
SACRAMENTO, CA – California state Senator Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton) and Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) announced a joint legislative package today to protect California ratepayers from ...
a23.asmdc.org
September 9, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Let’s get it done #caleg. Time to stop for profit utilities from slipping their lobbying costs into Californians energy bills. YES on AB 1167/SB 24!
a23.asmdc.org/press-releas...
a23.asmdc.org/press-releas...
Short Answer: No.
Good recs in here on what more CA should do to counter Trump's attacks on climate action.
calmatters.org/environment/...
Good recs in here on what more CA should do to counter Trump's attacks on climate action.
calmatters.org/environment/...
California has a fallback plan for Trump’s clean car attacks. Does it go far enough?
After Gavin Newsom asked agencies to “double down” on policies to transition away from fossil fuels, experts say new recommendations may fall short.
calmatters.org
August 20, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Short Answer: No.
Good recs in here on what more CA should do to counter Trump's attacks on climate action.
calmatters.org/environment/...
Good recs in here on what more CA should do to counter Trump's attacks on climate action.
calmatters.org/environment/...
Reposted by Matt Vespa
“These are dark times. But remember, California is being targeted because our leadership has made a difference.” @lasmogguy.bsky.social
#FutureIsElectric
#FutureIsElectric
New blog from @lasmogguy.bsky.social just dropped ⬇️ ⬇️
While Trump wreaks havoc, California and @airresources.bsky.social can resist the big chill on zero-emissions.
earthjustice.org/experts/adri...
While Trump wreaks havoc, California and @airresources.bsky.social can resist the big chill on zero-emissions.
earthjustice.org/experts/adri...
California Can’t Afford to Blink in the Showdown over Zero-Emissions
While Trump wreaks havoc, California can resist the big chill on zero-emissions
earthjustice.org
August 20, 2025 at 12:59 AM
“These are dark times. But remember, California is being targeted because our leadership has made a difference.” @lasmogguy.bsky.social
#FutureIsElectric
#FutureIsElectric
Reposted by Matt Vespa
Hey folks - started a substack. Subscribe (for free) if you want to read it.
open.substack.com/pub/lasmoggu...
open.substack.com/pub/lasmoggu...
Smog Chronicles
It's Getting Hot in Here, So Write on Substack
open.substack.com
August 18, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Hey folks - started a substack. Subscribe (for free) if you want to read it.
open.substack.com/pub/lasmoggu...
open.substack.com/pub/lasmoggu...
Replace an air conditioner, get a heater too…without the pollution.
My blog on how cities and counties in California can take climate action by adopting local A/C-to-heat-pump policies that cut emissions, clean our air, and keep homes comfortable year round.
earthjustice.org/experts/matt...
My blog on how cities and counties in California can take climate action by adopting local A/C-to-heat-pump policies that cut emissions, clean our air, and keep homes comfortable year round.
earthjustice.org/experts/matt...
The Year-Round Comfort Upgrade that Will Keep Cities Leading on Climate
Why the big swap of air conditioners for heat pumps is a great idea.
earthjustice.org
August 13, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Replace an air conditioner, get a heater too…without the pollution.
My blog on how cities and counties in California can take climate action by adopting local A/C-to-heat-pump policies that cut emissions, clean our air, and keep homes comfortable year round.
earthjustice.org/experts/matt...
My blog on how cities and counties in California can take climate action by adopting local A/C-to-heat-pump policies that cut emissions, clean our air, and keep homes comfortable year round.
earthjustice.org/experts/matt...