Insurance

Napa Town That Once Rode out Emergencies with Diesel Gets Clean-Power Backup

For residents of this quaint vacationer city on the northern fringe of Napa Valley, the specter of wildfire is seldom out of thoughts. The hillside bears burn scars from a 2020 hearth that compelled all of Calistoga to evacuate, and the 2017 Tubbs hearth that killed 22 individuals in wine nation began just some miles from downtown.

When hearth hazard required shutting off transmission strains that may spark a blaze, the city relied on a financial institution of mills in a well-liked recreation space that belched choking diesel exhaust and rumbled so loudly it drove individuals away.

However now Calistoga is shifting to a first-of-its-kind system that mixes two clean-energy applied sciences — hydrogen gas cells and batteries — for sufficient juice to energy the town for about two days. Specialists say the expertise has potential past merely delivering clear backup energy in emergencies; they are saying it’s a steppingstone to supporting the electrical grid any day of the yr.

Because the system was present process its ultimate assessments in late Could in an space that features a canine park, ball fields, neighborhood backyard and bike path, residents mentioned they had been grateful to be assured clear vitality year-round. Lisa Reward, a resident who additionally serves on the town council, famous Calistoga is already grappling with local weather change that’s fueling extra intense and frequent wildfires.

“Persevering with to depend upon fossil fuels was merely not sustainable,” Reward mentioned. “That’s what excited me about this. It’s a clear and dependable vitality resolution that ensures the security and resilience of our neighborhood.”

Vitality Vault, an vitality storage firm based mostly in California, constructed the brand new facility that was to come back on-line in early June. Subsequent yr, it may very well be exporting energy to the electrical grid every time wanted as soon as its software to totally join is authorised.

The set up sits subsequent to the place Pacific Fuel & Electrical used to arrange 9 cell mills yearly from late spring by means of fall. Behind a chain-link fence stand six hydrogen gas cells standing two tales tall made by Plug Energy in New York. Water vapor wafted from one of many gas cells being examined as The Related Press obtained an unique tour of the location because it was in ultimate testing.

Transport containers maintain two pairs of Vitality Vault’s lithium-ion batteries. Close by, a cinder block wall surrounds a large, double-walled metal tank that holds 80,000 gallons (302,833 liters) of extraordinarily chilly liquid hydrogen that will get transformed to gasoline to run the gas cells.

Utility Was Trying to find a Cleaner Resolution

California utilities, particularly PG&E, have needed to pay giant settlements over igniting wildfires. PG&E started slicing energy at occasions to scale back hearth threat in 2018, one in all California’s deadliest and most damaging wildfire years. It ships diesel mills to a couple of dozen cities to supply backup energy throughout these intervals.

Calistoga, the most important with about 5,000 individuals, has had its energy shut off 10 occasions. When mills ran, they spewed exhaust with dangerous nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide and soot. PG&E thought of changing Calistoga’s diesel mills with a pure gasoline model that might pollute much less, however opted as an alternative for Vitality Vault’s absolutely clear resolution, mentioned Dave Canny, the utility’s vice chairman for the North Coast Area.

Vitality Vault CEO Robert Piconi mentioned different communities, navy bases and information facilities may all use one thing related, however potential clients wished to see it operate first.

“There’s a large proof level with this challenge,” he mentioned. “I believe it’ll have lots of implications for a way individuals take into consideration different, sustainable options.”

The gas cell maker, Plug Energy, is planning for all these merchandise to be its fundamental enterprise in a decade. Vitality Vault mentioned it’s shopping for clear hydrogen, produced with low or no greenhouse gasoline emissions, to run the gas cells in Calistoga.

“This resolution is simply stunning,” mentioned Janice Lin, founder and president of the Inexperienced Hydrogen Coalition, a nonprofit that advocates for inexperienced hydrogen initiatives to fight local weather change. “No noise, no emissions. And it’s renewable. It’s dumping diesel.”

A 12 months-Spherical Clear System Brings Consolation

Calistoga caters to vacationers with a fundamental thoroughfare that emphasizes native retailers, eating places, tasting rooms and artwork galleries over franchise tales. Residents delight themselves on a smalltown vibe, and say Calistoga isn’t posh like a lot of the remainder of Napa Valley.

A few of these residents had been involved at first in regards to the hydrogen, which is flammable and might be explosive. Hearth Chief Jed Matcham mentioned the “very, very giant tank” obtained his consideration, too.

He collaborated with Vitality Vault on emergency planning and coaching, and mentioned he’s snug with the security measures in place. Vitality Vault’s batteries additionally include alarms, detectors and piping to extinguish a hearth.

The subsequent time PG&E turns off the facility to the world to forestall wildfires, it should inform Vitality Vault when it’s secure to affect Calistoga. The batteries will get issues again up and working, discharging the vitality saved inside them to the native microgrid.

Then the hydrogen gas cells will take over to generate a gradual degree of energy for an extended interval. By working in tandem — the corporate likened it to the best way a hybrid automobile works — the batteries and gas cells are anticipated to maintain the lights on for about 48 hours or longer.

Clive Richardson, who owns downtown’s Calistoga Roastery and may usually be discovered behind the counter, ingesting espresso and chatting with clients, mentioned individuals in Calistoga get on edge when the winds kick up. And he is aware of what it’s prefer to need to empty out his retailer when energy goes out — a giant hit for a small-business proprietor.

A year-round clear resolution for emergency energy provides him a measure of consolation.

“This may give us much more safety than we had earlier than,” he mentioned. “It’s incredible that it’s come. Right here we’re, little ol’ Calistoga, and we’ve obtained the first-of-a-kind system that hopefully will probably be endorsed and go all around the world.”

The Related Press’ local weather and environmental protection receives monetary assist from a number of non-public foundations. AP is solely accountable for all content material.

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Insurance

Tesla Plans Robotaxi Expansion to California and Arizona

tesla robotaxi california arizona july 2025 bloomberg

Tesla Inc. is aiming to convey its driverless taxis to California and Arizona because the carmaker plots an growth on the heels of final month’s restricted rollout in Austin.

Chief Government Officer Elon Musk predicted on his social media service X that Tesla robotaxis may launch within the San Francisco Bay space “in all probability in a month or two,” pending regulatory approvals. The carmaker plans to broaden its service space in Austin this weekend, he mentioned.

Tesla has additionally contacted the Arizona Division of Transportation to start the certification course of for autonomous car ride-sharing, the state company instructed Bloomberg in an emailed assertion. Tesla has expressed curiosity in working throughout the Phoenix metropolitan space, the transportation division mentioned. A choice on the corporate’s purposes — together with for operations with and and not using a driver — is predicted by the top of this month.

The automaker didn’t reply to a request for touch upon the Arizona discussions, which haven’t been beforehand reported.

Musk is reorienting Tesla round futuristic pursuits like driverless autos, synthetic intelligence and humanoid robots as its conventional automotive enterprise struggles. The CEO has an extended observe report of providing timelines associated to autonomous-driving ambitions that the corporate fails to fulfill.

In one other X put up on Thursday, Musk mentioned that Grok, the chatbot developed by his startup xAI, might be coming to Tesla autos “subsequent week on the newest.”

Tesla shares jumped 4.7% Thursday in New York. The inventory is down 23% this 12 months.

Tesla not too long ago made its long-awaited autonomous ride-hailing service obtainable to a small group of supporters and shareholders in a restricted space of Austin. The carmaker has indicated earlier than that California could be up subsequent after Texas.

Bloomberg first reported in February that the corporate had utilized late final 12 months for what’s referred to as a transportation charter-party service allow from the California Public Utilities Fee.

Associated: NHTSA Contacts Tesla on Robotaxi Issues Seen in Online Videos

Tesla has instructed California Division of Motor Autos officers that it plans to take a phased method to working within the state, beginning with giving workers pre-arranged rides utilizing a security driver.

Tesla has not utilized for both a driverless testing or deployment allow with the DMV, the company mentioned late Thursday.

“Tesla has held an autonomous car testing allow for public highway testing with a security driver since 2014,” mentioned the DMV in an e mail. “If Tesla intends to conduct driverless testing or deploy autonomous expertise, it should apply for the suitable allow.”

Learn Extra: Tesla Units Sights on Waymo, Uber in California Trip-Hail Bid

Buyers are carefully looking forward to robotaxi growth, which may very well be sophisticated by regulatory hurdles, technological limitations or visitors incidents. US auto security regulators have already got mentioned they’re trying into Tesla robotaxis showing to violate visitors legal guidelines the primary day they have been deployed in Austin.

Whereas the Texas launch concerned solely a handful of Mannequin Y autos, Musk has mentioned Tesla will develop to a thousand autos inside a couple of months, and later introduce a purpose-built Cybercab with no pedals or steering wheel.

If Tesla could make good on its growth plans, analysts have mentioned it may pose a menace each to autonomous-taxi firms led by Waymo, and commonplace ride-hailing suppliers together with Uber Applied sciences Inc.

“This speedy robotaxi deployment may spell the start of Tesla’s assault on current shared mobility fashions, together with different robotaxi community operators,” Alexander Potter, an analyst with Piper Sandler, mentioned in a word Thursday. “The quicker this roll-out progresses (with out main accidents), the higher it will likely be” for Tesla’s inventory.

High Picture: A Tesla Inc. robotaxi in Austin. (Tim Goessman/Bloomberg)

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California
Tesla

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T-Mobile Ending DEI Programs as it Seeks FCC Approval for 2 Deals

T Mobile store Las Vegas AdobeStock

Wi-fi provider T-Cell US mentioned on Wednesday it’s ending its variety, fairness and inclusion packages, underneath stress from the Trump administration because it seeks regulatory approval for 2 main offers.

T-Cell mentioned in a letter to Federal Communications Fee Chair Brendan Carr made public on Wednesday that the wi-fi firm is ending its DEI-related insurance policies “not simply in identify, however in substance.”

T-Cell mentioned it is going to now not have any particular person roles or groups centered on DEI, is eradicating any references to DEI on its web sites and has eliminated references to DEI from its worker coaching supplies.

Carr mentioned in a textual content message he was happy with the adjustments. “That is one other good step ahead for equal alternative, nondiscrimination and the general public curiosity.”

T-Cell is awaiting FCC approval to purchase virtually all of regional provider United States Mobile’s wi-fi operations together with prospects, shops and 30% of its spectrum belongings in a deal valued at $4.4 billion.

The FCC can also be weighing a separate transaction wherein T-Cell would set up a three way partnership with KKR to accumulate web service supplier Metronet, which reaches greater than 2 million properties and companies in 17 states.

T-Cell plans at closing to speculate about $4.9 billion to accumulate a 50% fairness stake within the three way partnership and 100% of Metronet’s residential fiber retail operations and prospects.

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, a Democrat, criticized T-Cell’s motion saying “in yet one more cynical bid to win FCC regulatory approval, T-Cell is making a mockery of its professed dedication to eliminating discrimination, selling equity, and amplifying underrepresented voices.”

The FCC in Could authorised Verizon Communications’ $20 billion deal to accumulate fiber-optic web suppliers Frontier Communications after the biggest U.S. telecom firm agreed to finish its DEI program and after the FCC opened an investigation.

Carr, a Republican designated by Trump in January as chair, instructed Comcast in February he was opening a probe into the NBC Information-parent firm’s promotion of DEI packages.

In January, Trump issued sweeping govt orders to dismantle U.S. authorities DEI packages, and pressured the non-public sector to affix the initiative.

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How Carriers Can Win More Retail Broker Biz: Report

AdobeStock 169867404 Building Business Relationships Partners Agent Meeting In Person with Carrier Insurer

By segmenting retail brokers into tiers utilizing premium quantity, profitability and strategic alignment as components to outline prime tiers, carriers can begin to win extra enterprise, in keeping with a brand new consulting agency report.

The report, How Insurers Can Win More Business from Retail Brokers, printed in late June by Boston Consulting Group, additionally recommends that insurers companion with brokers to co-develop modular, adaptable merchandise for purchasers.

The report is concentrated on the private strains and small and midsize enterprise protection segments, and presents the suggestions in response to a number of components the authors say are reshaping the retail brokerage panorama: dealer consolidation, digitization and rising buyer expectations. Tiering brokers based mostly on their worth and potential responds to the consolidation development, whereas collaborations on product improvement reply to altering buyer wants and rising expectations.

Discussing dealer consolidation, the report means that the main brokerages “wield higher negotiating energy, have greater expectations for service high quality, and search extremely personalized options,” whereas a various assortment of smaller brokers “continues to serve specialised markets, every confronting distinctive challenges and useful resource limitations.” A one-size-fits-all, uniform method utilized by carriers to those two teams ends in “operational inefficiencies, underperformance with strategically necessary brokers, and missed alternatives for progress,” the report suggests.

As a part of a tiering course of, the BCG authors state that “top-tier brokers ought to obtain devoted account managers and prioritized service” in an effort to be sure that the highest-value relationships get wanted assets.

Referencing the top-tier dealer once more within the dialogue of product collaboration, the report notes that insurers can assist the high-value brokers “by providing distinctive protection enhancements or specialised merchandise” to them, permitting these brokers to face out in aggressive markets. Moreover, insurers can present specialised assist, resembling cyber protection experience, to assist brokers seize rising buyer segments and keep forward of business developments.

A one-size-fits-all method isn’t a profitable one for carriers that wish to win enterprise from retail brokers inserting private strains and small enterprise protection, in keeping with the Boston Consulting Group report “How Insurers Can Win More Business from Retail Brokers by Angelo Candreia, Managing Director & Senior Accomplice, Tobias Hofer, Accomplice and Affiliate Director, Niklas Zürcher, Accomplice, and Siddharth Kumar, Affiliate Director, Insurance coverage.

Past the consolidation and buyer developments, the report lists 5 different challenges that weaken provider in an evolving dealer panorama, together with sluggish legacy programs, inconsistent service high quality, little advertising and marketing assist for brokers, and incentive constructions that don’t deal with long-term progress.

“At present’s brokers count on quick, streamlined interactions,” the report says, highlighting the vital expertise infrastructure modernization points. “Implementing real-time quoting capabilities, integrating IT programs utilizing software programming interfaces (APIs), and automating underwriting processes can enhance responsiveness,” the report says, additionally suggesting that insurers “develop intuitive dealer portals with sturdy self-service capabilities” for issuing insurance policies, monitoring claims and managing service requests.

Different suggestions for carriers embody coaching and improvement of particular dealer relationship managers, appointments of devoted claims managers to high-value brokers, the adoption of performance-based compensation tying “incentives to the expansion of relationships, profitability, and retention.”

The report additionally discusses the necessity to recurrently assess the maturity of dealer segmentation, buyer options, programs, servicing, advertising and marketing assist, broker-facing groups and incentives to determine gaps in distribution relationships.

A remaining part of the report warns in opposition to adopting excessive fashions of dealer engagement—one which’s utterly tailor-made to particular person dealer requests, and one other that’s wholly educated on standardization and operational effectivity.

Whereas brokers worth personalized options, the overly tailor-made approaches are too complicated. They overwhelm insurers’ operational processes and programs—and notably influence service to provider networks of smaller brokers.

The authors state that a greater method is to develop a set of modular product choices.

Subjects
Carriers
Agencies