SACRAMENTO, California — State Sen. Steve Bradford helps shape California climate policy as chair of the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee. But climate isn’t his top priority.
A veteran of the Great Recession’s budget strife, he’s more concerned with his poorest constituents’ ability to pay their bills and says he wouldn’t mind cutting climate spending to help them pay for things like hearing aids. A former public affairs manager for Southern California Edison, he’s cool with natural gas, doesn’t care for net energy metering and is leery of new grid technologies.
budget strife
What are your biggest priorities this year on the committee?
What are your biggest priorities this year on the committee?
Whether it’s unfinished business from last year or new stuff this year, it’s just sensible legislation. I think far too often what we do in the energy space is aspirational — arbitrary dates and arbitrary goals. I want folks to be more centered on what’s really needed and making sure that what we move forward is affordable and reliable.
