Blackouts

Commentary

California’s electric grid needs an overhaul

The network of utilities and operators running California’s electric grid must create a more flexible, sustainable system.

By Guest Commentary • December 23, 2020

Commentary

Some lessons for Newsom and Democrats from the last recall effort

California Democrats and Gov. Gavin Newsom would do well to remember the successful recall effort against Gov. Gray Davis.

By Guest Commentary • December 14, 2020

Commentary

With the election over, how do we achieve real change?

In the wake of the election, our first order of business must be an economic stimulus, and then we need to invest in a green and just recovery.

By Guest Commentary • December 3, 2020

Elections

When power is transferred—literally—in an election

In a stark scene of what the electoral process in California can look like in 2020, masked voters last Monday cast early ballots in an El Dorado County elections office powered by a generator after dry winds and fear of wildfires triggered an electricity shutoff. This year, thanks to back-up generators and the promise of […]

By Aaron Leathley • October 27, 2020

WhatMatters

Orange County besieged with blazes; Northern California largely spared

All things considered, California is faring better than expected amid the worst fire conditions of the season. Though desiccated winds topping 70 miles per hour ignited more than two dozen small fires in the northern part of the state, firefighters had fully contained all but two of them by Monday afternoon, and ongoing fires didn’t […]

By Emily Hoeven • October 27, 2020

WhatMatters

Wind, wind, wind: The most dangerous fire conditions yet

Brace yourself for the most dangerous fire weather of the season — and prepare to light a lot of candles. Nearly 1 million Californians will spend the day without power after PG&E initiated its largest shutoffs of the year Sunday to mitigate fire risk as bone-dry winds reaching 70 miles per hour pummel Northern California. […]

By Emily Hoeven • October 26, 2020

Commentary

Blackouts reveal lapses in power supply

Power blackouts in August proved California's need for a bigger supply cushion — and indicated that transition to a carbon-free future will not be easy.

By Dan Walters • October 18, 2020

WhatMatters

‘Ballot harvesting’ battle ramps up — legal fight seems imminent

The political stakes of the ongoing face-off between the California Republican Party and some of the state’s top Democratic elected officials over “ballot harvesting” practices just got a lot higher. The California GOP said it would not stop collecting voter ballots in unofficial drop boxes in a Wednesday letter to Secretary of State Alex Padilla […]

By Emily Hoeven • October 15, 2020

WhatMatters

Fast winds incoming: PG&E power shutoffs could last 3 days

Tens of thousands of Californians may be forced to spend the next few days without power while dry, powerful winds slam the northern part of the state. PG&E said Tuesday it will likely cut power to about 54,000 customers in portions of 24 counties through Friday while much of Northern California remains under a red-flag […]

By Emily Hoeven • October 14, 2020

WhatMatters

California ballot battles heat up

The closer the November election gets, the tenser California’s political climate becomes. Secretary of State Alex Padilla and Attorney General Xavier Becerra — both Democrats — sent a cease-and-desist letter Monday to the California Republican Party, demanding it remove unofficial ballot drop boxes set up outside of churches and gun shops in several counties. The […]

By Emily Hoeven • October 13, 2020