• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) issued a statement on Sept. 1 after the California Legislature passed a measure that would provide financial support to extend the lifespan of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant for five years. “One only needs to step outside this week to be reminded of the critical need for California to be equipped to handle the increasing impacts of the climate crisis, including ensuring our power grid is prepared to deal with increased demand and that we do not move backwards in our fight to decarbonize our energy sources,” Carbajal said in the statement. “But the right decision in a crisis, if made without adequate outreach and thought, can still be a wrong one. That is why, from the first suggestions of this extension in April, I have made it clear that consistent outreach to the Central Coast on the safety and environmental concerns was necessary to accompany this proposed extension.” In April, Carbajal said that the decisions about Diablo Canyon’s future should not just be up to Sacramento’s officials, but include stakeholders’ voices—like environmental groups, Pacific Gas and Electric, nuclear safety advocates, and plant employees—and make sure the plant’s expansion doesn’t hinder future renewable projects in the area, according to Carbajal’s office. “I believe the shorter-term extension approved by the Legislature will help meet one of my top concerns: ensuring that this move does not jeopardize future renewable energy projects like our offshore wind lease in Morro Bay nor the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.”
• U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) visited the San Diego border region and joined local nongovernmental and advocacy organizations to discuss their work to protect and welcome asylum seekers and how the federal government can support their efforts, according to an Aug. 31 statement from the senator’s office. During his visit, Padilla reiterated his commitment to protecting asylum rights and to create more legal pathways for migrants to safely arrive into the United States. In addition, Padilla visited the San Ysidro port of entry, the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry Project, toured the Otay Mesa detention center, and met with California state agencies and officials. “As we work to rebuild a more fair, orderly, and humane immigration system, the federal government must strengthen our partnership and support the work of local NGOs and advocacy groups along our border communities,” Padilla said in a statement. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the important work happening on the ground along the California-Mexico border. I remain committed to restoring the lawful processing of asylum seekers at the border and creating legal pathways for migrants to arrive safely, in keeping with America’s most deeply held values as a nation of immigrants.”
• California and the Western United States began experiencing extreme heat, bringing temperatures across the state 10 to 20 degrees hotter than normal—which drives up energy demand and strains power generation equipment, according to a Sept. 1 statement from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office. As of Sept. 1, two new fires have started that threaten transmission lines that supply power to millions of homes. Extreme heat warnings extended through Labor Day weekend until Sept. 7. Newsom issued an emergency proclamation and prompted large energy users and residents to temporarily reduce their consumption while calling energy production to increase, according to the governor’s office. These efforts allowed the state to avoid power outages, but with triple-digit temperatures hitting most of the West, the power grid operator is again expecting high demand—primarily from air conditioning use and needs voluntary conservation steps again. The California Independent System Operator encouraged Californians to pre-cool their homes before 4 p.m., then turn up thermostats to 78 degrees and avoid using major appliances from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
This article appears in Sep 8-15, 2022.