CCST Newsroom

CCST Paper Finds that California Needs to Resolve Regulatory Uncertainties Surrounding Carbon Capture and Storage
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is potentially important for advancing California’s energy future and climate goals, but deploying the technique depends in part on resolving regulatory uncertainties, according to the latest paper in CCST’s California’s Energy Future – Policy series. “Almost all solutions developed by the California’s Energy Future project to meet 80% reductions in […]
Council Chair Emeritus Miriam John Receives Navy Superior Public Service Award
CCST Council Chair Emeritus Miriam E. John received the Navy Superior Public Service Award yesterday in recognition for her “extraordinary service to the Navy.” It is the highest award that the Chief of Naval Operations can bestow on a civilian and recognizes significant contributions to the Naval Services. John received the honor in recognition of […]
CCST’s Cal TAC Initiates STEM Teaching Excellence Program
The S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation has awarded a grant to the California Teacher Advisory Council (Cal TAC) at the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST), to help Cal TAC build a new STEM Teaching Excellence Program (STEP) designed to strengthen STEM teaching quality and leadership in California. “Thanks to this support, Cal TAC will build on […]
Cal TAC Member Recognized as Top 100 Computer Science Educator
Art Lopez, a member of CCST’s California Teacher Advisory Council (Cal TAC), was selected by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Center for Women & Information Technology as one of the top 100 computer science educators in the US, and participated in a workshop to help launch Computer Science Education Week in Washington, D.C. […]
Challenges in Choosing a Climate Friendly Electricity System
California must nearly eliminate emissions from electricity to meet ambitious climate goals for 2050, but each of the primary available technologies for generating emission-free technology has problems and any choice will require concerted planning and early strategic investments, according to a new technical paper by the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST). “We should […]
Information for Critical Issues in California: 2013-2014 CCST Annual Report
The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) has seen significant changes over the past few years, expanding its reach and providing ever more opportunities for decision-makers to access and interface with the unique strength of CCST’s network of expertise. “There are no other states quite like California in the US and, within the state, […]
CCST Board Member, Senior Fellows to Receive National Honors
Three leading science and technology figures associated with CCST are to receive the nation’s top honors by the National Science Foundation. CCST Board Member Bruce Alberts, a Professor of Biochemistry at UC San Francisco and Editor-in-Chief of Science, will receive the National Medal of Science. CCST Senior Fellow Burton Richter, Director Emeritus of the SLAC […]
Digital Education Search Engine Gooru Launched
Gooru, a search engine dedicated to revolutionize digitally enhanced education, has officially launched after more than two years in development, one of the latest and most comprehensive products designed to help K-14 teachers better navigate the plethora of digitally enhanced education curriculum resources being offered. “This is an innovative and valuable tool for teachers,” said […]
With Conclusion of 2013-2014 Legislative Session, Several Water and Greenhouse Gas Related Bills Up for Approval
The 2013-14 Legislative session concluded on Saturday, August 30 at 3:15 a.m., adjourning more than a day early and with little of the drama of prior years. A number of important science- and technology-related bills were approved by the Legislature this year and await the approval of the Governor. Most of these bills have already […]
CCST Releases Report on Well Stimulation Technologies
CCST has released an independent report that reviews well stimulation technologies, including hydraulic fracturing, used in on-shore oil reservoirs in the state of California. This study was commissioned by the Federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and will inform BLM’s oil and gas policies in California. The findings of this CCST report describe current well […]
2013-14 CCST Science and Technology Policy Fellows Praised by Legislature
The fifth cohort of CCST Science and Technology Policy Fellows has received formal recognition for their service by the leadership of both the California State Assembly and the Senate, with the Fellows earning praise for their contributions and dedication. “This is a terrific program,” said Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, in acknowledging the Fellows […]
State Task Force Report Provides Blueprint To Improve STEM Education In California
California is in a prime position for enhancing science, technology, mathematics, and engineering (STEM) education, and the state needs to do so in order to maintain its leadership in high-tech innovation, according to a report released on June 30 by State Superintendent Tom Torlakson, INNOVATE: A Blueprint for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in California […]
CCST Briefs Congressional Staff on Water and Education Work
CCST shared information on two of its projects with Congressional staffers in Washington, D.C. at a luncheon briefing hosted by the California Institute for Federal Policy Research. Julie Meier Wright, CCST strategic advisor and former California Secretary of Trade & Commerce, presented an overview of the latest CCST water report, “California Water – Achieving a […]
CCST Releases Report on Expanding Biofuels in California
Advanced biofuels have the potential to provide California with economic opportunities while reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the state’s climate and clean air policies. However, the state may not have sufficient incentives in place to attract the private investment to rapidly scale up production, according to a new report by the California Council on […]
CCST Delivers Roadmap to a Sustainable Water Future for California
A report from the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) released today envisions a path toward a sustainable water future for California achieved through a system management approach utilizing innovations in science, technology and management. Such an approach would rely on currently available and new science and technology, yielding greater efficiencies and opening new […]
Cal TAC Releases New Report on Digitally Enhanced Education Symposium
The California Teacher Advisory Council (Cal TAC) has released the latest in a series of papers discussing the efficacy of digitally enhanced education, exploring what works, for whom, and under what conditions in classroom settings. A CalTAC convened symposium, one in a series supported by the Stephen D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation and the Stuart Foundation, […]
Four New Council Members Join CCST
The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) begins its 26th year with the addition of four new Council members, bringing new perspective and expertise from academia, the federal research lab, and the private high-tech sector. CCST is an independent, nonpartisan organization dedicated to providing California with sound analyses and reports on science and technology […]
Fifth Class of S&T Policy Fellows Goes to Work in Capitol
  The fifth class of the California Science and Technology Policy Fellowship Program has begun work in Sacramento, and the program is planning for the next five years. “We are very proud of the legacy this program is building,” said CCST Executive Director Susan Hackwood. “The Science and Technology Policy Fellows are a resource unique […]
CCST Welcomes New Board and Council Chairs
The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) is beginning 2014 with new leadership in both the Board and Council. Effective on January 1, Charles F. Kennel, distinguished professor of Atmospheric Science at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, became CCST Board Chair, and Corey Goodman, managing partner and co-founder of venBio, became Council Chair. “CCST is […]
Public Webinar to Discuss CCST’s Scientific Review of Oil and Gas Development Technologies in California
At the request of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) is conducting an independent scientific review of oil and gas development technologies in California. On Thursday, January 16th at 9am PST, CCST will host a public webinar (instructions for joining the webinar are below). During the webinar, […]
Amber Mace to Join CCST as Deputy Director
Effective this month, the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) has a new deputy director. Dr. Amber Mace, associate director of the UC Davis Policy Institute for Energy, Environment and the Economy, will bring her experience and expertise leading effective science-policy organizations to the CCST team. In addition to providing strategic advice to the […]