California’s recent power outage, which left over 70,000 homes in the dark for up to 24 hours, is a stark reminder of the state’s flawed energy policies. While triple-digit heat waves are not uncommon in Southern California, the real culprit behind the outage was not the weather, but the state’s own policies.
California’s goal to eliminate fossil fuels by 2045 has led to the shutdown of functioning natural gas plants and a heavy investment in wind and solar projects. However, this shift has resulted in skyrocketing electricity prices for consumers.
But the problem runs deeper. California’s radical permitting process makes it nearly impossible to build new infrastructure, including transmission lines, which are crucial for carrying electricity to the grid. This has hindered the development of renewable energy projects, causing California to fall behind other states in solar and wind power generation.
Texas, on the other hand, has become a leader in renewable energy, thanks to its more streamlined permitting process and lack of burdensome environmental regulations. The state’s Republican leadership has allowed it to build and expand its energy infrastructure, including transmission lines, without the same level of obstruction and delay that plagues California.
As a result, Texas has not only surpassed California in wind and solar generation but has more than doubled its renewable energy output. Meanwhile, California’s overregulation has led to a less reliable energy grid, higher electricity prices, and more frequent power outages.
The contrast between California and Texas highlights the consequences of two different approaches to energy policy. California’s Democratic leadership, exemplified by Governor Gavin Newsom and Vice President Kamala Harris, prioritizes environmental reviews and regulations over infrastructure development and energy production.
In contrast, Texas’s Republican leadership has taken a more balanced approach, allowing for the development of renewable energy while also promoting fossil fuel production and streamlining the permitting process. This has led to lower electricity prices, a more reliable energy grid, and a more robust energy infrastructure.
The choice between these two approaches will be on the ballot this November, as voters decide whether to continue down the path of overregulation and high energy prices or to opt for a more balanced approach that prioritizes energy production and infrastructure development.
