As the current heatwave strains California's already fragile power grid due to high temperatures and rising demand, the state's utility grid operator is asking residents to avoid charging their electric vehicles. This announcement comes just one week after the state announced a ban on the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035.
The California Independent System Operator (CISO), one of the main electricity operators in the state, warned Californians that they may need to avoid charging their electric vehicles as it could put unwanted strain on the state's power grid, especially over the Labor Day weekend. (Related: GO GREEN, GET BROKE: Test finds new electric Hummer costs over $100 to charge – more than it costs to fill up most gas tanks.)
CISO said it expects that it will have to issue calls for voluntary energy conservation through "Flex alerts" over the Labor Day weekend.
"During a Flex alert, consumers are urged to reduce energy use from 4 to 9 p.m., when the system is most stressed, because demand for electricity remains high and there is less solar energy available," reads a CISO press release.
The other conservation actions recommended by CISO are setting thermostats to 78 degrees or higher to reduce air conditioner use, avoiding use of large appliances during peak hours and turning off all unnecessary lighting in households.
"Lowering electricity use during that time will ease strain on the system, and prevent more drastic measures, including rotating power outages," CISO said.
CISO warning hints future grid troubles as more electric cars roll out in the state
CISO's announcement was heavily criticized, especially by Republicans. House Republican Whip Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana was not sympathetic.
"California is now telling people to 'avoid using large appliances and charging electric vehicles' from 4 to 9 p.m. This from the same state that's going to force everyone to buy electric cars by 2035," he said. "This is what Democrat control looks like – and they want it nationwide. What a joke."
Robby Starbuck, former Republican congressional candidate in Tennessee, noted: "This comes days after California became the first state to ban gas cars by 2035, which means massive pain for the grid there when everyone is forced to drive only electric cars."
"Toddlers could run a state more competently than Democrats," he added.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom still claims that the new rule requiring all car sales by 2035 to be for "zero-emission vehicles" (ZEVs) is "groundbreaking" and a necessary effort to tackle the imaginary climate change.
"We can solve this climate crisis if we focus on the big, bold steps necessary to cut pollution," he said in a statement on Aug. 25. "This plan's yearly targets – 35 percent ZEV sales by 2026, 68 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2035 – provide our roadmap to reducing dangerous carbon emissions and moving away from fossil fuels. That's 915 million oil barrels' worth of emissions that won't pollute our communities."
Newsom added that the state will proceed with investing $10 billion in making the transition to 100 percent ZEV "easier and cheaper for all Californians" who want to purchase electric vehicles.
Learn more about the multiple crises California is experiencing at CaliforniaCollapse.news.
Watch this clip from Fox News speculating whether California is making itself go bankrupt by going green.
This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.
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