Blackouts

Climate Change

California’s energy system should be resilient, flexible and affordable

California needs to move more quickly toward cleaner, safer, more reliable and affordable energy sources.

By Guest Commentary • October 12, 2020

WhatMatters

Why California had rolling blackouts: mainly, poor planning

Two months after Gov. Gavin Newsom called for an investigation into California’s first rolling blackouts in nearly two decades — during which time residents were twice warned that blackouts could return — a group of key state agencies released their preliminary findings. The findings raise serious questions about the ability of California’s electrical grid to […]

By Emily Hoeven • October 9, 2020

WhatMatters

Dangerous fire conditions ahead

Good morning, California. It’s Friday, September 25. Incoming: heat wave Another big heat wave is set to blanket California this weekend — bringing with it gusty winds, increased fire risk, unhealthy air quality and potential power shutoffs even as Californians reel from what is already the worst fire season in recorded history. Temperatures could spike […]

By Emily Hoeven • September 25, 2020

Climate Change

Tapping into solar-charged batteries could help prevent blackouts

Changing regulations in California would help keep the lights on by enabling customer-owned solar-charged batteries to provide energy to the grid.

By Guest Commentary • September 19, 2020

Environment

‘Debate is over,’ California’s governor says. ‘This is a climate damn emergency.’

As more than two dozen fires still rage, Newsom stands amid charred parkland, vowing to ratchet up the state’s ‘inadequate’ plan to cut carbon emissions.

By Rachel Becker • September 11, 2020

WhatMatters

Strong winds force power shutoffs as fires burn record 2 million acres

Most Californians are waking up today to strong and dangerous winds — and some are waking up without power. PG&E began shutting off power for about 172,000 customers in 22 counties late Monday night to mitigate fire risk amid strong winds forecasted to pummel much of the northern part of the state through Wednesday. In […]

By Emily Hoeven • September 8, 2020

WhatMatters

Get ready: Another big heat wave is coming

Good morning, California. It’s Friday, September 4. Note: Due to the holiday weekend, I’ll be back in your inbox on Tuesday. Blackouts could return Another likely record-breaking heat wave is set to blanket California over Labor Day weekend — bringing with it the potential for more rolling blackouts. The operator of California’s electrical grid on […]

By Emily Hoeven • September 4, 2020

Commentary

To prevent blackouts, California needs more clean energy – and a bigger, better run grid

A regional electric grid coordinating diverse power resources with neighboring states and modernized grid planning would help California avoid blackouts.

By Guest Commentary • September 4, 2020

Dan Walters

We have a power supply problem

The blackouts that hit California this month are a warning that the state has a serious electrical power shortage.

By Dan Walters • August 30, 2020

Education

Wildfires set school plans ablaze for more than 70,000 students

Already reeling from the coronavirus pandemic, schools in rural areas like Bonny Doon must now contend with wildfires and related problems like blackouts, poor air quality and damaged internet infrastructure.

By Ricardo Cano • August 26, 2020