California: Extreme Heat Waves Cause Power Shortages
The Calif. Independent System Operator (CAISO) on Tues. issued its highest level — stage three alert — energy emergency amid a heat wave that saw electricity demand reach a record-high on Tuesday evening.
Facts
- The Calif. Independent System Operator (CAISO) on Tues. issued its highest level — stage three alert — energy emergency amid a heat wave that saw electricity demand reach a record-high on Tuesday evening.
- According to the National Weather Service, California’s capital hit 116°F, with peak power demand reaching about 52k megawatts — the highest the state has seen.
- Though rolling blackouts — which usually follow stage three energy alerts — were avoided, two outages were reported in the San Francisco Bay area cities of Palo Alto and Alameda for about an hour.
- The state issued its eighth consecutive “Flex Alert” for Wed. — which will be in effect between 4 pm and 9 pm — urging residents to continue conserving energy.
- Gov. Newsom warned of continued triple-digit temperatures through the end of the week, asking residents to pre-cool their homes earlier in the day and then set the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher after 4 pm.
- The state has faced increased energy emergencies as it has begun to shift away from natural gas and nuclear power amid its goal to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2045, leaving it increasingly reliant on solar energy.
Sources: CNBC, Newsweek, and Breitbart.
Narratives
- Republican narrative, as provided by American Thinker. With Newsom avoiding using proven alternative energy sources, one can only wonder how much he cares about Californians. The man who shut down natural gas and nuclear plants — which caused this energy crisis in the first place — is now asking residents to endure the heat while he looks to be enjoying sweater weather air conditioning wherever he is.
- Democratic narrative, as provided by LA Times. Climate change has obviously brought on the severe droughts and heatwaves Californians are currently facing, which is why the state’s green energy policies are necessary for the long run. Gov. Newsom understands the short-term reality, however, which is why he’s worked to temporarily keep certain powerplants open and utilize emergency resources.
