Palo Alto-based venture capitalist Marty Lagod writes in the Los Angeles Daily News that California's advanced vehicle standards help to support jobs and grow California's economy. He urges the adoption of new clean car rules, saying California’s leadership is critical to helping shape global policies. Lagod writes, “We incubate great ideas here, bring them to market, and then -- most crucially -- lock in our leadership position so we keep the jobs those ideas create in California." Read more here.

BACC partner Pacific Gas and Electric Company added more than 220 megawatts of clean wind and solar power to its mix in 2011 and signed contracts for 463 megawatts in future renewable projects, the utility is reporting. PG&E estimates that about 19 percent of its electricity sales in 2011 came from renewable sources, a number the utility expects to reach 20 percent this year. Read more here.

Palo Alto officials have adopted a new policy to encourage the installation of electric vehicle charging stations. Under the new policy, the city will provide incentives for customers to charge their vehicles during off-peak hours and provide a "quick and efficient" permitting and inspection process for the installation of chargers. Read more here.

On December 15th, the UC Davis Plug-In Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Research Center presented findings from current research projects at PG&E’s Pacific Energy Center. Featured presentations at this EV Research Symposium included discussions on the impact of workplace charging, the dynamics of fast charging networks, projects such as the City of San Francisco Fleet & Chrysler PHEV Pickup Project, and more.  Presentations and related publications can be found on the UC Davis PH & EV Research Center's research webpage.