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The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board wrote an editorial Tuesday criticizing Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., for the aggressive new regulations he imposed on the state’s energy production amid a shortage that already it was serious
“California can barely keep the lights on as its climate policies bite the grid, but Governor Gavin Newsom isn’t fazed,” the editorial board wrote. “He signed no fewer than 40, count ’em 40, new climate bills on Friday to boost California’s green energy shock experiment.”
The editors noted that gas prices in California are still much higher than the national average.
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In this Sept. 14, 2021, file photo, California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks in San Francisco. On Thursday, he signed a series of police reform measures to increase transparency.
(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, file)
“Even though gas prices nationwide have fallen to an average of $3.68 a gallon, Californians are still paying $5.45 a gallon. California’s electric rates are already more than double those of neighboring states,” he wrote. “This is what happens when politicians try to phase out fossil fuels with a Molotov cocktail of regulation, taxes and mandates and renewable subsidies.”
Newsom was criticized by editors for saying “let’s get started” last week.
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They criticized the legislation for mandating that so-called “clean electricity” fully cover 90 percent of the state by 2035, noting that it will require energy companies to “begin to tilt investments even further to achieve the new goals”.
“This will require rapid and massive expansion of battery storage, manufacturing and technology that does not exist,” they wrote.
The editors also pointed to a mandatory 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions as a worrying part of the policy that will further hamper the state’s economy.
Governor Gavin Newsom speaks at a news conference in Oakland, California, on October 27, 2021. Governor Newsom has changed his plans and will not attend the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland. Newsom’s office cited “family obligations” as the reason.
(Images by Jeff Chiu/AP)
“You almost have to wonder if California Democrats are trying to alienate working-class families and businesses in order to ease the strain on the grid and achieve their climate goals,” the editors wrote.
“Then the wealthy progressives would have the state to themselves,” they continued.
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Editors speculated that the climate policies may be part of an effort by Newsom to position himself as a potential 2024 presidential candidate if President Biden decides not to run. During his interview on “60 Minutes” on Sunday, Biden cast doubt on whether he plans to run. He said it is “too early” to determine whether he will seek re-election.
