Berkeley Energy & Resources Collaborative (BERC)

Save the Date for our POWER Conference on March 21, 2025! (Paper Submissions Due January 6, 2025) https://lnkd.in/e94DH9V

BERC launched our annual fall Clean Energy Speaker Series on Monday featuring 4 industry experts who shared their expertise with graduate students at UC Berkeley. Julia Zuckerman and Iris Korovesi from Clearway Energy Group offered insights on solar and wind generation, then Ivor Castelino from Bloom Energy and Kinshuk Verma from Electric Hydrogen focused on storage and onsite solutions. Organized in collaboration with the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business, the Clean Energy Speaker Series brings in leaders from across the clean energy landscape to educate students on their businesses and experiences in the sector. Shout out to our organizers Frederick Polak-Kennedy, Rodolfo Costa, and David Bravo for this incredible start!

?? Last chance to register! ?? Don’t miss the BERC Sustainable Land Use Symposium this Friday, Oct 11th! We’re excited to host an incredible lineup of speakers, including Ashok Gadgil, Mary Adelzadeh, Ian Fein, Kate Gordon, Jay Ribakove, Marybeth Benton, Morgan Richmond, Lucero Weber, Emilie Mazzacurati, Michael Gollner, Dave Winnacker, Daniel Wholey, Cody Phillips, and others. They'll lead engaging discussions on climate resilience, equity, and environmental justice. Topics include brownfield reuse for clean energy, equitable groundwater distribution, and adapting to wildfire risks. Secure your spot now! ?? https://lnkd.in/g4qMijVk

Join BERC's Symposium on Oct 11 (in just 3 days!) to hear our panelists unpack Chevron Deference. On June 28, 2024, the US Supreme Court overturned Chevron deference, a landmark legal principle that for decades has guided the regulatory actions of federal agencies. What do we do now that it’s gone? On this panel, legal scholars and practitioners will discuss the history, significance, and far-reaching impact on environmental law and policy. As we navigate the legal landscape post-Chevron deference, attendees will gain valuable insights into how its overturning might affect regulatory practices and what it means for the future of clean energy and sustainable land use. Join our expert panelists: Sharon Jacobs, Professor, Berkeley Law Ian Fein, Senior Counsel, Litigation Strategy, NRDC Kevin Poloncarz, Partner, Covington & Burling LLP Moderator: Alex Lei Tickets are running low so get yours now! [https://lnkd.in/g4cmSypi]

Due to an unexpected Special Session at the Senate, our original opening keynote speaker had to withdraw. While we will miss his insights, we are thrilled to announce that?Abbie Dillen, President of Earthjustice, will be stepping in as our opening keynote speaker for the upcoming symposium! Abigail brings extensive experience in environmental law and advocacy, making her an exceptional addition to our program.?We are honored to have her join us to discuss sustainable land use and the path forward for environmental justice. Join us on October 11th at UC Berkeley for this incredible?opportunity! https://lnkd.in/gsRyvKJT

Join us on Oct 11 for our panel to discuss Burning Issues: Wildfires, Insurance, and Adaptation. Tickets are running low so get yours now! [https://lnkd.in/g4cmSypi] Join our expert panelists: Michael Gollner Berkeley Fire Research Center Dave Winnacker Fire Chief, Moraga-Orinda District Jay Ribakove Principal at Convective Capital Daniel Wholey Head of Strategy & Partnerships at Rain Industries California is burning, and the stakes are higher than ever — with devastated homes, unaffordable insurance rates, and communities on the frontlines of a wildfire crisis that will only grow. This panel will discuss California's escalating wildfire emergency, where experts will delve into the science behind these intensifying events and their profound impact on homes, communities, and insurance rates. Panelists will explore the latest adaptation and mitigation strategies, highlighting the role of technology, policy, and community resilience in addressing the growing threat. From the latest wildland-urban interface research to innovative solutions at the state and local level, this session offers crucial insights into safeguarding California's future amidst increasing wildfire risks.

Join us on Oct 11 for our panel to discuss Burning Issues: Wildfires, Insurance, and Adaptation. Tickets are running low so get yours now! [https://lnkd.in/g4cmSypi] Join our expert panelists: Michael Gollner Berkeley Fire Research Center Dave Winnacker Fire Chief, Moraga-Orinda District Jay Ribakove Principal at Convective Capital Daniel Wholey Head of Strategy & Partnerships at Rain Industries California is burning, and the stakes are higher than ever — with devastated homes, unaffordable insurance rates, and communities on the frontlines of a wildfire crisis that will only grow. This panel will discuss California's escalating wildfire emergency, where experts will delve into the science behind these intensifying events and their profound impact on homes, communities, and insurance rates. Panelists will explore the latest adaptation and mitigation strategies, highlighting the role of technology, policy, and community resilience in addressing the growing threat. From the latest wildland-urban interface research to innovative solutions at the state and local level, this session offers crucial insights into safeguarding California's future amidst increasing wildfire risks.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT! David Hochschild of the California Energy Commission will be speaking at BERC 2024 Resources Symposium on Oct 11! Tickets and time are running out: https://lnkd.in/g4cmSypi "David Hochschild was appointed chair of the California Energy Commission by Governor Gavin Newsom in February 2019. Chair Hochschild's career has spanned public service, environmental advocacy, and the private sector. He first got involved in the solar energy field in 2001 in San Francisco as a special assistant to Mayor Willie Brown where Chair Hochschild launched a citywide $100 million initiative to put solar panels on public buildings. He also cofounded the Vote Solar Initiative, a 60,000-member advocacy organization promoting solar policies at the local, state, and federal levels. He was executive director of a national consortium of leading solar manufacturers and worked for five years at Solaria, a solar company in Silicon Valley. From 2007 to 2008, he served as a commissioner at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. For his work to advance clean energy, Chair Hochschild was awarded the Sierra Club's Trailblazer Award, the American Lung Association's Clean Air Hero Award, and the U.S. Department of Energy's Million Solar Roof True Champion Award. Chair Hochschild holds a bachelor of arts from Swarthmore College and a master of public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He also was a Coro Fellow in Public Affairs." - CEC

Exciting insights await at the BERC Symposium on Oct 11! Join us for a thought-provoking panel discussion on Building Global Climate Resilience: Innovation, Finance, and Equity! As climate change impacts intensify globally, how can we adapt and build resilience? This panel will delve into the scientific basis of climate risk and adaptation, examine the funding landscape, highlight opportunities for enhancing community resilience, and address the equity and justice dimensions. Meet our esteemed panelists: Eric Chu , Senior Planner, California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research Emilie Mazzacurati, Co-Founder, Tailwind Morgan Richmond Manager, Climate Policy Initiative Moderator: Pooja Agarwal, Master of Public Policy '25 There's only a few spots left, so sign up now to secure your spot: [https://lnkd.in/g4cmSypi]

Join us on Oct 11 for our panel to discuss Innovative Reuse of Land for Decarbonization. Tickets are running low so get yours now! https://lnkd.in/g4cmSypi Meet our distinguished panelists: Marybeth Benton, Energy Projects Director, The Nature Conservancy Mark Quarles, P.G., RWE (National Environmental Permitting focused on Brownfields) Lucero Weber, RWE (West Coast Community Engagement Manager) Moderator: Kate Gordon Finding new ways to utilize existing landscapes and infrastructure is a critical strategy to drive decarbonization by overcoming common barriers such as local opposition. This panel will explore how innovative approaches to repurposing distressed and underutilized lands can drive decarbonization efforts. By tapping into these neglected spaces for clean energy projects, we can unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth. Join experts from academia, policy, and business as they discuss the challenges and opportunities of turning past liabilities into future assets.