Written by Jonathan Du Fault
The head of California’s electric grid says he is “guardedly optimistic” the state will avoid rotating blackouts this summer. He further states cooperation during a Flex Alert will be necessary.
Elliot Mainzer, president, and CEO of the California Independent System Operator said utilities throughout the state have built up power reserves and invested in new technology like battery storage to prevent blackouts like the ones experienced in 2020.
However, recent record-breaking heat in California and the Pacific Northwest along with an ongoing drought that will reduce hydropower, give cause for concern.
“We’re adding just a little more ‘guarded’ to that guarded optimism.” said Mainzer. He stated further Californians will likely be asked to conserve “a handful” of times of the summer.
The worst of the heat in California, and potential blackouts will come in August and September, right before the recall elections for Governor Newsom.
Last year over 800,000 customers over two nights lost power during the hottest time of the year. The state was so caught off guard by the power shortage that they resorted to calling individual companies, asking them to reduce their power demand.
With Newsom promising to find the solution to this problem he has currently put little effort into the issue. Even while sitting on a $76 billion budget surplus, Newsom is more concerned about giving out hundreds of millions of dollars in incentives than solving actual problems. He is more concerned about himself than the 39.5 million Californians he serves.
What the state has done to prepare for times like last summer may not be enough. Agencies have taken steps to avoid blackouts such as keeping natural gas plants online, increasing energy storage and boosting conservation.
The grid operator released a report showing a 12 percent chance of rolling blackouts still happening, with chances getting higher if temperatures spike in August and September.
The state could be seeing blackouts comparable to the summers of 2001-2003. During this time Governor Gray Davis was recalled because of the power crisis.
“Folks here have very limited patience when they simply can’t turn a switch and flip on the lights,” said Steven Maviglio, who served as press secretary to Gov. Davis before he was recalled in 2003. “I think he’s (Newsom) more vulnerable than even Gary Davis was because first of all, we had a taste of it, and if it happens again, he may have to pay the price for it.”
