CleanTech OC Daily - 10/30/12

The case for a distributed, smarter, cleaner power grid post Hurricane Sandy
As of this morning, around 7.5 million customers were without power due to hurricane Sandy. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he expects power to be out for the next two or three days, maybe longer. He also said that getting the power grid back up and running will be the city’s “biggest challenges.” Hurricane Sandy and other recent natural disasters illustrate the need for a transformation of the grid to next-generation energy technologies, like adding in more carbon emissions-free power generation and energy efficiency technologies.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk wades into fight with auto dealers

Tesla Motors is facing off against the auto dealers of America and their state associations. Tesla sells their cars online and not through franchised, independently owned dealers. In doing so, Tesla has eliminated the two parts of car shopping that customers clearly hate most: haggling and buying. Dealer groups, who believe this approach is a threat to the industry, are suing Tesla to prevent the company from opening its stores.

Billionaire Tom Steyer Aims to Push Clean Tech Agenda

Tom Steyer, a billionaire hedge fund manager recently announced he is leaving Farallon Capital to devote more time towards both charitable and political causes. One of his major charges is Proposition 39, which he spoke about at the CleanTech OC Conference & Expo in September. The bill, if successful, will eliminate loop holes that benefit out-of-state corporations in California, such companies would pay taxes based on sales within the state.