By Robert Perry, Director of Research In facing our climate crisis, a lot of emphasis is placed on adding to, or replacing infrastructure. While this impulse is a logical reaction in the transition to clean energy, a strategy to repurpose existing facilities should always be considered first as a means to accelerate the transition, while […]
The Resource Adequacy Hurdle to 100% Renewable Energy
By Robert Perry, Director of Research Over the years, I’ve written about Santa Barbara County’s energy resiliency issues, particularly for communities along the coastline in the Southern California Edison (SCE) service territory. I’ve also decried SCE’s antiquated Request for Offer (RFO) process that no longer works in a time when energy procurement means building hundreds […]
Stop the PG&E Bailout Bonds
Call to Action! Dear Academy Supporters, The World Business Academy strongly opposed AB 1054, the utility bailout rushed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom, which strengthens the state’s monopoly on utilities at the expense of all California ratepayers, Community Choice programs, and democratic due process. Now there is a proposed extension to pay for PG&E’s […]
Business as a Global Change Agent: Ceres/Academy Collaborative
Since 1987, the World Business Academy has focused on the role business can and should play in solving humanity’s largest challenges. Our focus on climate change and energy security results from an analysis of the most important threats to human survival and thus the survival of business. Given this prime directive, it logically follows that […]
Advanced Community Energy (ACE): A Winning Hand for Local Energy Development
Following closure of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) in 2013, the Academy’s energy advocacy efforts in various hearings and lawsuits initially focused on preventing the industry’s rush to build massive natural gas “peaker plants” which the Academy helped defeat in both Oxnard and Goleta. During that time, the Academy Research Director Robert Perry […]
Rebuild with Resilience: Montecito Community Microgrid Initiative
In partnership with the Clean Coalition, the World Business Academy has engaged the Montecito community towards the development of a Community Microgrid, starting with independent microgrids at three critical community facilities: Montecito Fire Protection District (FD) headquarters and primary fire station, which maintains and deploys the majority of Montecito’s fire-fighting resources. Montecito Water District (WD) headquarters and […]
Santa Barbara County Votes to Join Central Coast CCA: Now What?
By Robert Perry, Director of Research On June 16th, the County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution to participate in the Monterey Bay Community Power Authority (MBCPA), Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) Program. Following years of deliberation and analysis concerning the feasibility of forming its own CCA, the vote could lead to the inclusion of Santa […]
Downtown Santa Barbara Retail Discussion Moves Forward With New Consultant’s Report
When it comes to the issue of revitalizing Downtown Santa Barbara and bringing back some of its lost luster, momentum is building towards a solution and the World Business Academy is gratified to see that the public discussion we launched last year about this vital issue continues to move forward. The World Business Academy started […]
WATCH: Video of Global Citizens Club July 2019 Event “Housing Solutions for a Vibrant Santa Barbara”
Please enjoy this video recording of the July 10, 2019 GCC Public event “Housing Solutions for a Vibrant Santa Barbara” focusing on the pressing topic of housing in Santa Barbara, specifically on the question of how to compensate for the housing shortage and the aging population. Panel Moderated by: Rinaldo Brutoco; Speakers: Councilmember Jason Dominguez, […]
Global Citizens Club Meeting: Housing Solutions for a Vibrant Santa Barbara
On July 10th, 2019, we enjoyed the company of over 100 Santa Barbara community members and four key panelists at the Global Citizens Club meeting on Housing Solutions for a Vibrant Santa Barbara. As part of the 2019 conference series, this meeting focused on the pressing topic of housing in Santa Barbara, specifically on the […]
Business Warrior Monk: Core Principles
By Rinaldo S. Brutoco, Founding President of World Business Academy In our era, the road to holiness necessarily passes through the world of action. – Dag Hammarskjöld, U.N. Secretary-General (1953-1960) If we are to address the many challenges of our era, ranging from climate change to income inequality, leaders must increasingly embrace a unique combination […]
Housing Solutions for a Vibrant Santa Barbara
Like most of California, Santa Barbara is in the midst of an affordable housing crisis. As our population has grown over the past few decades, our housing stock has stayed relatively flat – leading to exponentially rising prices to rent an apartment or buy a home. Partly this is by design, as majority bias in […]