Wildfires have been increasing in intensity and destructiveness in recent years. This report draws on recent empirical research to estimate wildfires’ economic impacts within the State of California and is the first to provide a comprehensive estimate of their fiscal impact on the State’s General Fund. 

Blue Sky Consulting Group assisted the State Treasurer’s Office with an analysis of affordability and financing issues related to the Bay Delta Conservation Plan Conveyance Facility (aka the Delta tunnels). The BDCP is an ambitious and controversial habitat conservation plan proposed by the governor involving the construction of two large, underground tunnels intended to transport water from the Sacramento River around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Our report was intended to provide a context for better public understanding of the potential costs of the project and an assessment of whether those costs are affordable for the water contractors and their customers who are expected to pay for the project. In addition the report explores a number of critical issues related to financing the cost of construction through revenue bonds and risks associated with that financing.

Next 10's Carbon Challenge engages Californians in the process of meeting the state's greenhouse gas reduction goals. The nonpartisan internet tool allows users to call the shots on which carbon reduction strategies to pursue. Based on research and modeling by Blue Sky, the Carbon Challenge lets users evaluate policy options, balance tradeoffs and make choices about how to meet the state's AB32 greenhouse gas reduction targets.

Carbon Label California was founded by Blue Sky Consulting Group founders Matt Newman and Tim Gage with the support of Silicon Valley philanthropist Noel Perry to help bring academics, environmentalists, business leaders, and policy-makers together to design a Greenhouse Gas Content Label for consumer products in California. The effort led to the development of draft legislation and a simple, implementable approach for measuring the carbon content of most products produced or sold in California.

In 2010, we assisted the State Treasurer's Office with the development and implementation of a sales tax exclusion program for green manufacturing equipment that was created by SB 71 of 2010. Specifically, we designed project evaluation criteria, drafted regulations, and assisted with the scoring of applications for the exemption, which is aimed at assisting manufacturers of solar panels, bio fuels, electric cars, and other alternative energy and advanced transportation technologies. The framework we developed has been instrumental to the successful implementation of this program.