Ron Brownstein has an interesting article in The Atlantic (October 2009) that describes California's efforts to create sensible energy regulation and promote green technologies:

http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200910/california-energy

As the United States and the world attempt to make meaningful progress in addressing climate change and moving toward renewable energy, the ideas underlying California's energy regulatory system may be ever more important points of reference.

(Full disclosure: In 1976 and 1977, immediately after college, I worked as a staff economist for the California Energy Commission and witnessed the beginnings of the regulatory movement described here.)

Robert A. Enholm
Executive Vice President
Citizens for Global Solutions