On March 23, Advanced Energy Economy Institute (AEE Institute) hosted California gubernatorial hopeful Delaine Eastin for a roundtable session with AEE member companies in San Francisco. The former State Superintendent of Public Instruction shared her vision for maintaining California’s leadership on climate and energy issues, nationally and globally. Eastin underscored the imperative for long-range planning, and reiterated her commitment to ensuring continuity for the state’s critical advanced energy investments and programs.

Eastin described her background in both public and private sector service, drawing parallels between historic challenges in the telecommunications industry and the current challenges around California’s electricity system and regulatory apparatus.

The roundtable was the fourth in a series of meetings with the leading candidates for governor, including John Chiang, John Cox, and Antonio Villaraigosa. Through these roundtables, we hope to learn more about each candidate's vision for the state, and we hope they will learn more about the advanced energy industry that’s driving economic growth in California.