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CURRENT ISSUES:
Energy Efficiency
Community Choice
Environmental Justice:
 Bayview Hunters Point

BACKGROUND:
CA Standard Offer for  Energy Efficiency
Brief History & Key  Documents in Energy  Efficiency
WEM'S Policy Proposal for  Integrated Long-Term  Procurement

INTRODUCING WOMEN’S ENERGY MATTERS

Barbara George and Bob Raymer question PG&E. Part 1.

Part 2 and additional videos

Women’s Energy Matters (WEM) is a network of women and men who approach energy issues from a woman’s point of view. WEM works for a rapid transition to an efficient, renewable energy system, in order to promote healthy communities and ecosystems and improve international relations. WEM also celebrates the ways women have used their own energy through the ages to work for the public good.

This website provides a sampling of the information WEM is gathering and actions we are taking, and links to other sites addressing these issues. WEM encourages you to get involved, and appreciates your support.

 

WEM'S CURRENT CAMPAIGNS

ENERGY EFFICIENCY Women’s Energy Matters is a leading player in a multi-year battle at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) over energy efficiency programs. As an official public interest participant ("intervenor") WEM is working to increase energy savings from these programs by putting more funds in the hands of cities, non-profits and businesses that have no conflict of interest with conservation. The CPUC allowed utilities to control all energy efficiency funds for thirty years, although they have a fundamental conflict of interest — selling more energy raises their profits and their stock prices. They have wasted ratepayers' money on ineffective, overpriced programs and high administrative costs.

In summer 2004, the CPUC will decide on how these programs will be run for the next decade. WEM and its allies have proposed a structure that opens up opportunities for hundreds of truly independent, innovative and effective programs, and neutralizes utilities' conflict of interest. Similar systems in other states have been shown to save 40% more energy per dollar than California's current system. WEM founded the California Coalition for Energy Efficiency to help spread the word and persuade the CPUC to adopt this proposal.

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE WEM is a member of the Community First Coalition, working for environmental and economic justice for Bayview Hunters Point, a low income, people of color community in southeast San Francisco. Residents suffer serious health problems and economic blight caused by five power plants, two highways, the main sewage treatment plant for San Francisco and Daly City, and toxic & radioactive contamination from Navy operations and nuclear experiments at Hunters Point Shipyard (a Superfund site). Adding insult to injury, Redevelopment is moving to gentrify the community and displace current residents.

CCEE   Summary Read CCEE Proposal CCEE Members Endorse CEE Proposal

See > BACKGROUND: WHY WOMEN’S ENERGY MATTERS