Here's why California’s grid is at risk of blackouts in the next few days
by Breanne Deppisch, Energy and Environment Reporter
September 02, 2022 07:00 AM
California, bracing for its longest and most intense heat wave of the year, faces the threat of its power grid being pushed beyond capacity and triggering rolling blackouts for the first time since 2020.
Electricity use is expected to climb to a five-year high early next week, regulators said, when demand is expected to peak at around 48,000 megawatts.
The situation has led the state’s Democratic leadership to make a policy 180, supporting efforts to keep fossil-fueled plants online and to extend the life of the state’s last nuclear power plant in the hope of avoiding a shortfall.
Here’s why the grid is being stressed:
