Longtime KSBY meteorologist Dave Hovde has a new SLO County job. Here’s where
Longtime KSBY meteorologist Dave Hovde announced in April that he’d be leaving his post at the news station — and now he’s revealed where he’s headed.
On Monday, Hovde started working at PG&E as part of the team at Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant, where he’s serving as senior external engagement representative, he told The Tribune.
He doesn’t know exactly what his position will look like, since it’ll be developing as time goes by, but overall, it’ll allow him to continue communicating with the public. He’ll be giving tours and otherwise spreading the word about what goes on at the plant, he said.
Hovde, an award-winning meteorologist, was a mainstay at KSBY for 22 years — and the announcement of his departure sparked an outpouring of sadness and well-wishes from the local community.
Hovde said he’s grateful for the support so far and hopes community members will continue to be in touch even after he leaves television.
“This is my home, and I’m so proud to have an opportunity to continue to stay here and contribute to making this the best place in the world to live,” he said.
Hovde joins a group of former KSBY employees who have also transitioned to working for PG&E, including Neil Hebert and Carina Corral.
Former KSBY meteorologist will advocate for clean energy
Hovde has long had a passion for clean energy, but hasn’t always had the chance to talk about it, he told The Tribune on Friday.
“When you’re in television, you can never have an opinion about anything, and I am just glad that ... so to speak, the handcuffs are off and I can be an advocate for clean power,” he said. “I think we’re on the precipice. Between climate change and artificial intelligence and electric cars, there’s just going to be so much talk about energy in our future in California and the world.”
Hovde is also looking forward to learning at Diablo, which he described as the “gold standard” of nuclear power plants.
“I’m going into like an entirely new endeavor where there’s a lot to learn, but I’m excited about that because I kind of felt like ... with television, I’ve done what I could do,” Hovde said. “Now, I think it’s important to be involved with the conversation I really feel passionate about.”
“This is a new PG&E that has some really huge goals that they’ve shared with me,” he added. “I can’t wait to be a part of it and pull the rope along with, I think, the best team that’s been assembled anywhere.”
Hovde told The Tribune in April that part of his desire to switch paths was rooted in the long nights he endured in broadcast television — a point he reiterated again Friday.
“This is going to be a different way for me to live my life, to be out there and talking with people and not just at them,” he said. “I’m just so excited to start that process of being even more involved in the community.”
The former meteorologist completed his last television broadcast for KSBY on Friday night. His 24-year-old son was also present for the send-off show.
Hovde said he plans to talk more about his career transition on his website: davehovde.com.
This story was originally published June 10, 2025 at 11:00 AM.
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