Synapse: This Week's News for LA’s Best Buildings
Blackouts and California’s Clean Energy Transition
Over the past few days, California’s grid operator (CAISO) has been forced to institute rolling outages across the state as a historic heat wave affects much of the Western United States. This is the first time that there have been outages at this level in the state since the energy crisis of 2000-2001 was sparked by market manipulation that led to supply shortages and utility bankruptcies.
Many factors are at play in California that have led to these recent events, and it will be months before the various drivers of the outages can be fully assessed. However, some observers have jumped to an early conclusion that the state’s aggressive clean energy goals are somehow to blame, and that renewable energy is a primary cause of the outages.
Consumers Are Playing a Big Role in Keeping the Lights On in California This Week
After the first rolling blackouts in 20 years, California’s utilities asked customers to curb their power consumption. Many said yes.
The Growing Importance of ESG Practices for Real Estate Investment
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices are critical to real estate investment according to a report from The Counselors of Real Estate. The COVID-19 pandemic has elevated this trend as risk management, resiliency, transparency and social engagement are ever-growing important issues.
Don't Miss USGBC-LA's 19th Annual MGBCE
Since its inception in 2001, MGBCE has become the longest-running and largest gathering of leading sustainability and green building advocates within both the public and private sectors of Southern California.
This year, over 1,000 attendees across two days will join in a virtual setting from local government agencies, the building industry, and the public, all gathering to learn about green building principles, practices, and products. The conference will feature live streaming, interactive exhibitor and community partner booths, virtual tours, digital networking, recorded content, and much more.
When: August 21-22, 2020
Webinar: Healthy and Safe Re-Occupancy: Technologies and Sensors that Limit Exposure to COVID-19 Confirmation
To operate a healthy and safe building during the COVID-19 pandemic, building owners and tenants need to evaluate behavioral, spatial, material, and operational strategies to protect the health, safety, and welfare of building occupants.
In this webinar, the panelists explore technologies that help building owners limit the exposure to the virus by using sensors that identify the best space design or monitor air quality and cleanliness in office and retail environments.
Source: Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images