One of California's four remaining natural gas-fired power plants is in Huntington Beach. Photo by Mike Blake, REUTERSEnvironmentalists and clean-energy experts say Newsom is pushing to give the Energy Commission sole control over siting of energy plants, usurping local control. The deal also would prolong the life of natural gas plants.By clicking subscribe, you agree to share your email address with CalMatters to receive marketing, updates, and other emails.
The trailer bill, if enacted, would address one of Newsom’s pressing concerns — keeping the lights on in California during a summer that’s expected to strain the state’s power supplies. It is the kind of political Kryptonite that brought down former Gov. Gray Davis during the energy crisis of 2000-2001.
“Spending billions of dollars to prop up old fossil fuel facilities for another few years will set a dangerous precedent.”Environmentalists said streamlining energy projects can translate into accepting shortcuts that damage the environment, such as wetlands and endangered species. But environmental advocates and energy experts say the bill would not alleviate any potential brownouts or power unreliability in coming months because power plants can take years to build. They worry that it may set back theBy clicking subscribe, you agree to share your email address with CalMatters to receive marketing, updates, and other emails.“Spending billions of dollars to prop up old fossil fuel facilities for another few years will set a dangerous precedent,” Young said.
This “opt-in” program for developers would eliminate their need to obtain local approval as well as oversight from state agencies responsible for protecting water, land use and endangered species. City and county officials oppose the loss of local control over energy projects in their own jurisdictions. The California State Association of Counties and the League of California Cities sent letters to legislators urging them to allow local authorities to authorize permits and have an opportunity to comment on environmental impacts of projects.
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