Author: Edward Ring

Edward Ring is the director of water and energy policy for the California Policy Center, which he co-founded in 2013 and served as its first president. The California Policy Center is an educational non-profit focused on public policies that aim to improve California’s democracy and economy. He is also a senior fellow of the Center for American Greatness. Ring is the author of two books: "Fixing California - Abundance, Pragmatism, Optimism" (2021), and "The Abundance Choice - Our Fight for More Water in California" (2022).

Ringside: Large Scale Desalination Belongs in California’s Water Strategy

February 12, 2026 4:30 amFebruary 12, 2026 4:31 am

In debates over water policy in California, a common argument is that if only we managed the systems we’ve already got, there would be plenty of water for everyone. Agricultural and urban use would not have to be rationed, taxpayers...

Governor Newsom: Turn Up the Delta Pumps!

February 11, 2026 6:29 amFebruary 11, 2026 6:29 am

When it comes to the water supply in California for cities and farms, nothing matters more than how we manage the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. As of 2/09 we were 132 days into the 2025-26 rainfall season which began on 10/01/2025....

Ringside: Can California’s Oil Industry Survive?

February 5, 2026 8:00 amFebruary 5, 2026 11:20 am

Even confirmed skeptics should be impressed at the rapid improvement in the price and performance of EVs. A new 2026 Nissan Leaf sells for just under $30,000, and can charge in 30 minutes. That’s still not competitive with affordable gasoline powered...

Ringside: California’s Drought is Over, But We Still Must Invest in Water Supply Projects

January 29, 2026 3:37 pmJanuary 29, 2026 3:37 pm

For the last 25 years, the US Drought Monitor (USDM), a collaborative effort by the University of Nebraska, NOAA, the USDA, and other experts throughout the country, has released a weekly map that shows the location and intensity of drought across...

Ringside: Why Fossil Fuel Use Must Increase – The Numerical Reality

January 22, 2026 3:30 amJanuary 22, 2026 3:31 am

The Statistical Review of Global Energy, has been published every year since 2023 by The Energy Institute. For nearly 75 years before that it was published by British Petroleum. It is one of the most authoritative sources available for energy statistics....

Ringside: The Denominators of our Prosperity – Energy and Water

January 14, 2026 3:29 pmJanuary 14, 2026 3:29 pm

Abundant and affordable energy and water are prerequisites to solving every other challenge standing in the way of lowering California’s overall cost-of-living. Not only because the cost for energy and water directly impacts the cost to build homes, pay household...

Ringside: Reversing California’s Policies of Scarcity

January 8, 2026 3:55 amJanuary 8, 2026 3:56 am

A new year has begun, and here in California, 2026 promises to deliver challenges that may at last transform the state’s energy and water policies. Let’s begin with a quick look at California’s current water policies in action. The last month...