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Self-inflicted blackout
Power companies imposed continual blackouts for the first time since 2001.
Yes, there is a huge heat wave. But the inability to meet the surging demand is due to the passage of natural gas.
Please consider millions of Californians seen in the dark as a heat test grid.
Up to 3 million people across California could take turns plunging into darkness Monday night as the state’s grid operator works to prevent the region’s power system from collapsing under the pressure of one of the worst heat waves in generations.
The blackouts, which were due to come at 6 p.m. in California, would mark the third time in four days that state utilities have deliberately cut power to protect a grid that has been pushed to the brink of failure as people blow up their air conditioners and fans. keep calm. The state faces an electricity shortage of about 1.4 gigawatts on Monday, the independent California system operator said in a statement.
Since Friday, millions of Californians have been suddenly plunged into darkness without warning, recalling the massive power outages state utilities carried out less than a year ago to prevent their power lines from tripping. fires during unusually strong windstorms.
Part of the problem is California’s rapid abandonment of natural gas. About 9 gigawatts of gas production, enough to power 6.8 million homes, has been pulled over the past five years as the state increasingly turns to renewables, according to BloombergNEF. This leaves fewer options when the sun goes down and solar production declines.
Normally, California can import enough electricity from neighboring states when supplies are tight. But the sprawling heat wave sweeping the American West is pushing power plants to the max in the region.
Part of the problem or most of it?
Heat wave aside, the blame for the blackouts goes squarely to the insane push for more expensive forms of renewable energy that cannot meet demand.
Even when California can buy from other states to meet the excess demand, it comes at an additional cost.
Renewable energy not only costs more, but it is not as reliable. We cannot produce wind on demand.
California style solution
California can raise taxes enough that enough people flee to reduce demand for electricity.
As previously reported, California is seeking a wealth tax to soak the rich, even those who are leaving.
The obvious problem with wealth tax is the lack of billionaires. Not enough would affect the demand for electricity.
California should raise everyone’s taxes so high that 30% of the population is leaving. Unfortunately, the 30% who would leave would probably pay at least 70% in taxes.
But hey, that would reduce the demand for air conditioning by at least a third.
Mish
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