Doing the math: UCLA Emmett Institute symposium focuses on affordability

A decade ago, the rent was too damn high. But now a majority of Americans tell pollsters that they struggle to afford all the basics of living - utility bills, groceries and transportation. In 2026, the idea of affordability is shaping American politics - and policy - from Sacramento to Albany, N.Y., to Washington, D.C.

That is especially true when it comes to electricity, says William Boyd, a UCLA environmental law professor who specializes in energy. "Electricity prices are a top-tier political issue for the first time in at least a generation - and they are only getting more important as we seek to electrify transportation, heating and cooking, and other parts of the economy," Boyd said. "On top of that, rapidly rising demand from data centers is stretching the existing grid to its limits in some parts of the country."

Boyd, faculty co-director of the UCLA Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, is helping to organize an all-day symposium April 3 at UCLA School of Law entitled "Can Abundance Be Sustainable?" that seeks to explore these tensions between affordability and climate policy. The event's panel discussions focus on three related themes: the transition away from fossil fuels, the need for more affordable housing and how to grow the electric grid without crushing ratepayers.

U.S. residential electricity rates increased by 5% in 2025 compared with the year before, according to data from the Energy Information Administration. The reasons vary from state to state, but they involve public utilities' spending on equipment, the rising cost of natural gas and upgrades needed to meet ambitious climate goals. In California, costs also come from the increasing need to harden our infrastructure against the risk of wildfires. In other words, the effects of climate change drive up our energy bills while the costs of trying to mitigate climate change do, too. All while the cost of doing nothing would be even higher.

That's some hard math, as John Reynolds knows all too well. As the new president of the California Public Utilities Commission, Reynolds leads the state agency charged with holding utilities and companies accountable for delivering safe, reliable and affordable service to Californians. Reynolds is the keynote speaker at the April 3 symposium, where he will engage in a conversation with Professor Boyd about the CPUC's role in implementing California's clean energy agenda.

Reynolds has served as commissioner since 2021 but was appointed president last month by Gov. Gavin Newsom to "build on the Governor's agenda to deliver 100% clean electricity by 2045, combat energy costs, modernize our electricity delivery system and protect families and businesses from the growing impacts of extreme heat and catastrophic wildfires."

"California continues to lead the way in finding creative ways to deliver on its ambitious climate and clean energy agenda while ensuring access and affordability," Boyd said. "California's Public Utility Commission is right in the middle of the action on all of this."

Following Reynolds, attendees will hear from a wide range of experts on everything from the economics of oil and gas to the environmental impacts of data centers. Robinson Meyer, the executive editor of Heatmap News, will moderate "Growing the Grid Without Breaking the Bank," featuring Abre' Conner, director of the NAACP's Center for Environmental and Climate Justice; and Tina Andolina, chief of staff to California Sen. Ben Allen.

Allan Marks, a lecturer at UCLA Law, will moderate "Affordability and the Transition Away from Fossil Fuels," featuring Katie Valenzuela, policy consultant at Everyday Impact Consulting; Ryan Cummings, chief of staff of the Stanford Institute for Economic Policymaking; and David Spence, a professor of law at the University of Texas School of Law.

Cara Horowitz, executive director of the UCLA Emmett Institute, will moderate "Housing Affordability and Environmental Protection," featuring Jen Ganata, legal department co-director at Communities for a Better Environment; Shane Phillips, housing initiative manager at the UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies; and Liam Dillon, California housing reporter at Politico.

Register here for "Can Abundance Be Sustainable?"