OUR POLICY AREAS
Through our international study tours, domestic conferences, and local workshops and meetings, CFEE educates California’s leaders on the top issues in energy, housing, telecommunications & technology, transportation, water, and recycling & the circular economy. ​​
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Our thoughtful approach to non-partisan education brings greater clarity and consensus to these complex and at times controversial policy areas.
After California launched the Digital Revolution, we remain at the forefront of technological progress. And as innovation reshapes our modern world, California must continue to balance technology advancements with societal well-being, all while ensuring all communities have access to fast and reliable communications.​​​​​​​​
California is in the midst of a housing crisis that imperils the well-being of the California economy, environment, and, most importantly, our communities. What more can be done to accelerate housing production, house our unsheltered neighbors, and drive down housing costs?​​​
California is a transportation powerhouse, home to 26 million automobiles, more than 400,000 miles of roadways, thousands of miles of rail, and hundreds of air and sea ports. To decarbonize this mammoth sector and enhance infrastructure resiliency will demand the greatest of California ingenuity.​​
ENERGY
The CFEE Energy Summit convenes state policymakers with senior labor, environmental, industry, and local government leaders to address the technical, commercial, and political challenges inherent to pursuing a net zero carbon future.
CFEE programs have facilitated policy related to cap and trade, renewable energy procurement and integration, carbon fuel standards, and energy efficiency. Specific legislative outcomes include AB32 (Nunez and Pavley), and AB398 (Garcia), and AB1054 (Dodd), among others.
HOUSING
The CFEE Housing Conference convenes state policymakers with developers and builders, labor and environmental leaders, and local government and community representatives to deliberate on the needed action to increase housing production, reduce homelessness, and drive down housing costs.
The inaugural 2019 Housing Conference featured focused discussion on legislation related to permit streamlining, fee reduction, accessory dwelling units, and affordable housing financing.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECH
The CFEE Telecommunications and Technologies Conference brings together consumer and community advocates, industry representatives and union leaders to discuss how to ensure the public broadly benefits as technological advancements and new networks are deployed.
Previous Telco/Tech Conferences have facilitated policy development related to network deployment in rural communities, data privacy, emergency communications and 5G introduction.
TRANSPORTATION
The CFEE Transportation Conference convenes labor and environmental leaders, energy and engineering companies, and transit operators to have focused dialogue on how to maintain, improve and finance this robust transportation system while exploring pioneering efforts in zero emission vehicles, autonomous vehicles, and micro-mobility.
Previous Transportation Conferences have led to legislation related to resilient infrastructure, carbon fuel standards, air pollution, project financing and public-private partnerships.
WATER
The CFEE Water Conference convenes state policymakers with farm owners and environmental advocates, labor and industry leaders, and water managers to focus on how to smartly grapple with California's unending water scarcity challenge.
Previous Water Conferences have resulted in new policies related to indirect and direct potable reuse, water markets, groundwater recharge, system consolidation and multi-benefit projects.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY
To support California as it pursues its ambitious circular economy goals, CFEE developed "California's Recycling Challenge" in partnership with the California Product Stewardship Council and the National Stewardship Action Council. This ongoing program leverages policy research tours and virtual conversations to explore best practices in materials management and recycling. By visiting cutting edge facilities and studying innovative policies, program participants deeply engage with the complex challenge to augment California policies and infrastructure to better manage the waste streams for nearly 40 million Californians.
