Four Bay Area environmental leaders have been recognized for their outstanding dedication to building cleaner, healthier, and more resilient communities. As part of MCE’s annual Charles F. McGlashan Advocacy Awards, The Utility Reform Network (TURN) was honored for its impactful partnership expanding EV charging access at Black churches and in underserved communities. Accepting the award on behalf of TURN, Adria Tinnin highlights the organization’s ongoing commitment to community-driven, equitable clean energy solutions.

TURN's Legislative Champions Awards celebrated key legislators who championed affordable bills and corporate accountability, exercising courage to put the needs of residents and businesses over the greed of corporate profits.  This event highlights TURN’s commitment to supporting affordability, climate action, and public safety across the state's legislative landscape and honored Senators Becker, Gonzalez, and McNerney, as well as Assemblymembers Petrie-Norris, Valencia, and Berman.

For more information, please visit: https://www.turn.org/turn-legislative-champions

As California races to break its dependence on fossil fuels and expand clean energy, a new power player is emerging: data centers. Driven by the explosive growth of artificial intelligence, these energy-hungry facilities are reshaping the state’s electricity landscape. Cities like San Jose are courting data centers that run around the clock, with demand from such projects potentially rivaling the power used by 20 million homes within 15 years. Other states have seen prices soar and fossil fuels rebound. Can California — the heart of tech innovation — harness AI without blowing its clean-energy goals?

TURN Telecom Policy Director Regina Costa, moderating a panel at a national policy conference in Seattle, with Washington State Commissioner Ann Rendahl, CPUC Commissioner John Reynolds, and North Carolina Commissioner Floyd McKissick.

Matt Freedman speaking at the 17th Annual Lesley K. McAllister Symposium on Climate & Energy Law - Exploring Solutions to California’s High Electricity Costs.

Mark Toney, executive director of The Utility Reform Network, joins the agenda to explore how to rein in Californians' electric bills and promote energy justice.

Watch the YouTube livestream.

To view more photos from the event click here.

On Thursday, April 24, TURN - The Utility Reform Network and the Campaign for Affordable Power (CAP) hosted a high-energy campaign kickoff on the steps of the State Capitol building.

The "big tent" campaign included speakers from: 

Mark Toney, TURN
David Azevedo, AARP California
Nora Sheriff, California Large Energy Consumers Association
Michael Boccadoro, Agricultural Energy Consumers Association
Kevin Johnston, California Farm Bureau
James Simonelli, California Metals Coalition
Britt Mara, Small Business Utility Advocates

To learn more, please visit
Campaign for Affordable Power (CAP) Page

TURN visited Calpine’s geothermal facility at The Geysers, the world’s largest geothermal field. The visit provided an inside look at how clean, renewable energy is produced using natural steam from deep underground.

TURN staff met with Calpine engineers, toured the plant, and explored how geothermal power supports California’s clean energy goals. The visit deepened TURN’s understanding of geothermal energy’s role in building a more sustainable and reliable grid.

Ashley Salas, an attorney in the Telecom and Regulatory Section at The Utility Reform Network (TURN), was a featured speaker on the panel "The CPUC in the Digital Age: Evolving Role of the CPUC in Addressing Broadband Service" at the California Conference of Public Utility Counsel (CCPUC) 2025 Annual Conference. With deep expertise in telecommunications policy and consumer advocacy, Salas plays a crucial role in shaping regulatory frameworks that promote affordable and equitable broadband access across California. Her insights provide a critical perspective on how the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is adapting to the rapidly evolving digital landscape and its impact on broadband deployment, competition, and consumer protections.

The Legislative Progressive Caucus Center's Inaugural event showcased thought-provoking discussions, strategic partnerships, and a shared dedication to advancing policies that champion equity, justice, and economic opportunity for all.

Kevin Bailey, TURN’s Lead Organizer, joined a panel at Marin Clean Energy’s 2024 ComPow Symposium to spotlight Charging Faith and emphasize the critical role of community partnerships in driving resilience and sustainability.

TURN participated in the NARUC Conference in Anaheim, California, alongside key regulatory leaders from across the country. The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) represents state public service commissions responsible for regulating utilities nationwide.

To learn more, please visit
https://www.naruc.org/annual-meeting/

The TURN team at Broadband Communities Summit West 2024 in San Diego.

To learn more, please visit
https://www.terrapinn.com/conference/broadband-communities-west/index.stm

Mark Toney will speak at the National Council on Electricity (NCEP) on October 29-30, 2024 in Phoenix, AZ.

To learn more about NCEP, visit the NCEP website
http://www.naruc.org/ncep/ncep-home/

Mark Toney will be the keynote speaker at the CUB Policy Conference on Friday, October 4th, emphasizing his deep commitment to fighting for affordable, reliable utility services, particularly for low-income communities in California.

The 2024 CUB Energy Policy Conference will offer a full day of discussions, networking, and diverse perspectives, exploring the intersections between utility planning, customer affordability, and climate protection.

For more details, you can view the full article here.

In addition to the Energy Opportunity Forum, Mark will be speaking at the Power Uptown event on the same day. The Energy Equity, Housing and Health Program at Mailman School of Public Health, the Energy Opportunity Lab in the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia SIPA, and the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at the Columbia Law School are organizing a half-day, community-focused public event called Power Uptown on September 27th from 3:30pm – 7pm, on the sidelines of New York Climate Week.

To learn more, please visit https://www.energypolicy.columbia.edu/events/bollinger-convening-power-uptown-tackling-energy-insecurity-together/

Executive Director Mark Toney is honored to serve as a panelist at the second Energy Opportunity Forum during New York Climate Week (September 22-29). The event will take place on September 27th at Columbia University, hosted by The Energy Opportunity Lab (EOL) within the Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP) at Columbia SIPA. Mark will join the panel discussion, “The Role of Utilities in Advancing Energy Justice in the U.S.” This flagship forum brings together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and community leaders to explore innovative, sustainable energy solutions that foster healthy, prosperous communities both in the U.S. and emerging economies worldwide.

To learn more, please visit https://www.energypolicy.columbia.edu/events/energy-opportunity-forum/

TURN's Legislative Champions Awards celebrate influential lawmakers who advance consumer rights and equitable access to essential services in California. This event highlights TURN’s commitment to supporting affordability, climate action, and public safety across the state's legislative landscape, honoring those who have significantly impacted these critical areas.

For more information, please visit: https://www.turn.org/turn-legislative-champions