California has admitted they have an electric grid reliability emergency

The California grid operator, the California Independent Systems Operator (CAISO), has declared an electric grid reliability emergency and is asking the federal Department of Energy to suspend air-pollution rules for some natural gas power plants to keep the lights on. Bloomberg writes:

For a second straight day, authorities urged residents of the biggest U.S. state to conserve energy as a heatwave boosts air-conditioning use.

The emergency request highlights the conflict between California’s green aspirations and the physical reality that wind and solar thus far haven’t been able to cover power shortfalls exacerbated by the shuttering of gas-fired generators. The California Independent System Operator has warned of looming electricity shortages several times this summer.

The timing of CAISO’s request is convenient because California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) faces a tough recall election next Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, and a fresh round of blackouts would almost certainly hurt his chances at remaining in office.

California’s energy policies are a self-inflicted causality, which should be obvious to anyone paying attention. Liberal governors have shuttered nearly all of the state’s nuclear fleet at the encouragement of extreme environmental special interest groups, and it has foolishly shuttered the natural gas facilities needed to keep the lights on.

The Star Tribune editorial board, which recently endorsed President Biden’s proposed “clean” energy mandates, should take note, lest they have no electricity to charge their electric cars themselves in the near future.