Patterson told FOX26 the recent problems showed that "you can't run" the fifth- largest economy in the world on just wind and solar.
Conservation measures helped avoid rolling blackouts in California on Tuesday as a scorching heat wave has stressed the state's electrical system to a point not seen in two decades.
But the Golden State's recent power problems have drawn anger and new focus over an increased reliance on renewable energy and gaps in storage capacity for an event like record-breaking heat.
The ISO said high wind energy production and conservation helped keep electricity flowing, but another Flex Alert is in place Wednesday as triple-digit heat continues.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who declared a statewide emergency Tuesday due to the heat and 30 large wildfires across the state, said California is in the "critical 48-hour period" with energy usage.
On Monday, Newsom ordered an investigation into outages that occurred Friday and Saturday.
"We’re doing everything in our power to understand the root causes of this," the governor said.
But Republican Assemblyman Jim Patterson of Fresno, the vice-chair of the Committee on Utilities and Energy, said Monday that the state's reduced dependence on natural gas has fueled the recent troubles.
"I have been warning over and over again that the policies coming out of the Democrat-controlled legislature and governors' office are creating the conditions for blackouts and brownouts and here we are seeing the evidence," Patterson told FOX26 News.
Last September, officials during an ISO board meeting had warned that electricity shortages were possible during a heat wave in the near term due to the shift to renewable sources like solar and wind energy that are less reliable.
More yada yada yada in this article then:
President Trump took to Twitter on Tuesday night to blame Democrats for the recent blackouts, saying they "intentionally implemented rolling blackouts — forcing Americans in the dark. Democrats are unable to keep up with energy demand."
“Meanwhile, I gave America energy independence in fact, so much energy we could never use it all,” he added without giving evidence. “The Bernie/Biden/AOC Green New Deal plan would take California’s failed policies to every American!”
Patterson told FOX26 the recent problems showed that "you can't run" the fifth- largest economy in the world on just wind and solar.
"The governor says he wants an investigation. We don't need an investigation. What we need more electricity available when we need it, and that's gonna mean turn the natural gas plants back on," Patterson said. "We need more electricity. Plain and simple."
https://www.foxbusiness.com/energy/california-power-troubles-rolling-blackout-heat-wave-renewable-energy-clean-energy-power-supply-electricity-surge