Storms and New Power Sources Ensure California's Electricity Supply for Summer
California is unlikely to face electricity shortages this summer due to increased power storage and a wet winter that filled the state's reservoirs, allowing hydroelectric power plants to restart. An additional 8,594 megawatts of power from wind, solar, and battery storage will come online by September 1. However, extreme heat waves and wildfires remain a threat to the state's power grid, and officials warn that a "flex alert" may still be necessary to conserve energy. Governor Gavin Newsom's push for clean energy has been challenged by the need for gas-fired power plants and diesel generators to avoid blackouts during heat waves.