Great Lakes Wire

An ongoing heatwave in California last week placed a high demand for gas and nuclear energy supplies for electricity that almost led to a widespread blackout.

A major news outlet is questioning whether the state will be able to navigate the next demand for power due its diminishing traditional power supply. 

The editorial board at the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D-CA) response to his state’s electricity crisis. According to the editorial, from 2010-2020, the state’s gas-fired capacity decreased by 4,390 megawatts and nuclear by 2,150 megawatts. Despite California increasing the supply of solar and wind power by 17,000 megawatts, it was on the verge of losing power to millions of homes during the heatwave.

Additionally, the article states it was ironic that the state was on the verge of an electric breakdown given that it has pushed emergency gas-powered generators to deal with this exact scenario. These generators use fossil fuels to power electricity. Thirty percent of Los Angeles’ electricity supply comes from coal, which the editorial board calls “Newsom’s dirty little climate secret.”

Newsom’s policy is on board with many in his party including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI).

During a campaign event in Newcastle, New Hampshire in September 2021, President Joe Biden told a questioner, "Look into my eyes. I guarantee you we’re going to end fossil fuels.”

Whitmer announced her plan to bring Michigan to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, according to the Detroit News. Brendan Clarey wrote “going all in on renewable energy instead of planning on fossil fuels or nuclear will likely mean higher energy prices for future electricity consumers and taxpayers” in an opinion piece in the Detroit News in response to Whitmer’s plan. 

The cost of electricity in Michigan on average is 18.11 c/kwh as of June 2022 compared to 17.84 c/kwh last year, according to the most recent data from Choose Energy. The national average has increased 11.3% compared to 2021.

Backed by leading industry groups, Republican commissioners on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) have called for a slower transition to renewable energy in order to avoid an electric failure catastrophe.

During FERC’s monthly meeting in May, Mark Christie, one of the commission's Republican members and a Trump appointee said, “We’re headed for a reliability crisis. We’re just not ready yet." Meanwhile, Democrats on the commission have sought to paint power transmission issues as the reason for periodic blackouts, and not the energy transition.