Newsom Backs Fossil Fuels so Californians Can Keep the Lights on
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a staunch proponent of green energy and climate change alarmist, is poised to expand fossil fuel use in his state to prevent power shortages and rising energy prices.
Since 2018, the governor has been outspoken about his intentions to shut down the Aliso Canyon gas storage facility, which was the site of the largest methane leak in United States history in 2015. The state has, in recent years, forced industries to adopt new carbon emissions standards, embrace electric-power vehicles instead of gas-powered cars, and primarily rely on wind and solar energy to fuel the state’s energy needs.
This not-so-steady shift in policy has created a weak electric infrastructure, causing rolling blackouts across the state, and prompting state agencies to send out “flex alerts” asking residents to decrease their electricity use for several hours on end.
In response to the power outages and increased energy demand, Governor Newsom has recommended increasing the amount of gas stored in the Aliso Canyon facility by nearly 69 billion cubic feet.
“The Public Utilities Commission, whose members were all appointed by the governor, is scheduled to vote on whether to go ahead with the plan on Thursday, amid growing protests from activists, concerned citizens, and politicians, all of whom continue to call on the government to shut it down for good.”
The Post Millennial
The governor renewed the use of three natural gas plants in southern California, in addition to taking steps toward keeping the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant operational after previously petitioning to close the site. Plans were in place the close the facility by 2025; however, state officials have recently proposed a 20-year extension.
“[R]eality appears to have sunk in,” the Post Millennial wrote. The state’s climate crusade seems to have moved too quickly, and prevented proper infrastructure from being built to support the increasing energy demands.
