On Tuesday, California officials finalized their decision to extend the life of three gas-fired power plants through 2026. The state had originally planned to shut them down later this year. In fact, California had originally planned to shut them down three years ago, but the plants got an extension then as well after rolling blackouts reminded the state that its energy grid was too weak to handle California’s regular heat waves.
That is California’s entire energy strategy. If state officials just believe in wind and solar energy enough, suddenly they will make magic advancements that allow the state to cut off all other forms of energy. The state then slaps deadlines on other forms of energy to shut down, then must start improvising extensions when those deadlines approach and those magic advancements haven’t materialized.
This is the exact same game the state has been playing with Diablo Canyon, the last nuclear plant operating in California. The process of shutting down the plant, which provides around 9% of all of California’s energy, started in 2016. It was on track to shut down in 2025, but Gov. Gavin Newsom requested an extension that would last until 2035.
California’s energy policy is based on naivete. California officials shut down reliable energy sources based on hope-filled projections while thinking that they can save the world by cutting California’s emissions, all while China’s growing output quickly cancels out the progress. The result is nothing more than a failing grid that can’t withstand the weather or consistently keep the lights on for California residents.