California Black Media

Sen. Bradford Reprimands Fellow Lawmakers on Unaffordable Energy

California Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) blamed fellow lawmakers and utility authorities for the high cost of — and unreliable access to — energy across the state.
Bradford, who chairs the Senate’s energy and utilities committee, addressed a group of state energy leaders about the state’s worsening energy-related challenges. “We find ourselves here today with these challenges because our legislation has been more aspirational than practical,” said Bradford.

Published

3 months ago

August 19, 2024

Oakland Post

Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood). File photo.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

California Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) blamed fellow lawmakers and utility authorities for the high cost of — and unreliable access to — energy across the state.

Bradford, who chairs the Senate’s energy and utilities committee, addressed a group of state energy leaders about the state’s worsening energy-related challenges.

“We find ourselves here today with these challenges because our legislation has been more aspirational than practical,” said Bradford.

“Consumers are feeling this, and we need to be more practical in what we’re trying to do,” he said.

Bradford expressed his frustrations during an oversight hearing on the State’s electric grid. State leaders have started paying attention to power bills that address current and emerging energy issues.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed plans to lower energy prices before August 31, the state deadline for legislators to submit bills for the governor’s approval.

California law states that by 2045 electricity must come from renewable and zero-carbon sources. In efforts to achieve this goal, the plan requires the state to reach the 90 percent mark before 2036.

Newsom’s administration announced that state agencies and utilities received a $600 million federal grant to upgrade electric transmission. However, Sen. Bradford said that state officials were attempting to achieve energy goals with their hands tied behind their backs due to policies passed by lawmakers.

State officials attributed the energy problems to uncertain weather events, shrinking budgets, and high prices causing people to leave the state.

Sen. Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta) said California is facing a “curvy road with a bunch of potholes in it,” supporting Bradford’s concerns.

“The faster we go through those curves, the more chances we are going to run off the road,” said Seyarto.

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Oakland Post: Week of November 13 – 19, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 13 – 19, 2024

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November 16, 2024

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Oakland Post: Week of November 6 – 12, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 6 – 12, 2024

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November 9, 2024

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Sacramento Kings and Black-Owned Digital License Plate Firm Enter History-Making Partnership

Reviver founder and Chief Strategy Officer Neville Boston attended the Sacramento Kings’ season opener at Golden 1 Center, witnessing players debut the company’s patch. Reviver proudly supports the Sacramento Kings’ community and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Photo by Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media (CBM).

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2 weeks ago

November 4, 2024

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Reviver founder and Chief Strategy Officer Neville Boston attended the Sacramento Kings' season opener at Golden 1 Center, witnessing players debut the company's patch. Reviver proudly supports the Sacramento Kings' community and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Photo by Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media (CBM).

By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media

Reviver, the world’s first digital license plate and connected vehicle platform, has entered into a history-making jersey patch partnership with the Sacramento Kings, team officials announced right before the team’s season opener on Oct. 24.

The collaboration establishes Reviver as the first Black-founded technology jersey patch partner in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

The Reviver logo now appears on the left front strap of Kings’ uniforms.

Reviver founder and Chief Strategy Officer Neville Boston was in attendance to see the company’s patch worn by the Kings, during a game with the Minnesota Timberwolves at Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento.

“It was an absolutely amazing night. More than I ever expected,” Boston told California Black Media (CBM). “The Sacramento Kings have been incredible. On a national, and maybe a worldwide level, this partnership raises the profile of Reviver with the assistance of (Kings chairman and CEO) Vivek Ranadivé and the Kings.”

According to the Kings’ brass, Reviver, supported by the Black Star Fund, a Black-led venture capital firm based in Sacramento, is now an official “innovation partner” of the Kings and Golden 1 Center; a presenting partner of “Capitalize Technology,” a King’s corporate social investment initiative; and the exclusive digital license plate of the Sacramento Kings.

Headquartered in Granite Bay, a suburb of Sacramento, Reviver was born from a vision to modernize and streamline the vehicle registration renewal process. On Jan. 1, 2023, the state of California joined Georgia, Colorado, Michigan, and Arizona as states that have approved digital license plates for use statewide, after Reviver completed a four-year pilot program that evaluated a replacement for metal plates.

About 10,000 California drivers bought digital plates during the pilot program. Vehicles registered with the state are eligible to adopt the new high-tech tags. Reviver existence was made possible when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 984 in September 2022.

Under that law, California vehicle owners can update their titles, registrations, and other records remotely. In addition, the digital license “RPlate” includes a flashing message if a vehicle is reported stolen or if there is an Amber Alert.

Ranadivé is spreading the news that Reviver has international potential.

“This jersey patch partnership with Reviver continues the Kings long tradition of using our global platform to promote innovation and technology,” Ranadivé stated. “It’s particularly exciting to showcase a homegrown company that was part of our Kings Capitalize program. This is just the beginning of our work together, and we look forward to helping Reviver in its mission to modernize the driving experience.”

The commercial use of patches in professional basketball all began in 2009 when the Women’s Basketball Association (WNBA) Phoenix Mercury removed its name to replace it with sponsor, LifeLock, an identity-theft protection company. The landmark deal netted a contract worth about $1 million annually.

Kindra Montgomery-Block, vice president of diversity, equity, and social impact for the Sacramento Kings, was the integral facilitator who assisted Boston and his team in connecting with the sports franchise that is boasting 40 years in the Capital City.

“This partnership between the Kings and Reviver, backed by the Black Star Fund, will invest in the Sacramento community to promote technology and innovation in the region,” Montgomery-Block stated. “Reviver will support the Sacramento Kings community and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.”

Editor’s Note: Neville Boston is a California Black Media board member.