Californians, Are You Getting Burned? Vote Against It!

Summer has returned. Will you or your family face another blackout, be trapped by a fallen power line or worse a fire?

Electricity is a force. Sir Michael Faraday understood its potential value, Faraday reportedly made this point to William Gladstone, then the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Gladstone asked “what the practical value of electricity was.” Faraday responded, “One day sir, you may tax it.”

High taxes are part of the price paid for living in California. The State’s 1996 “Electric Utility Industry Restructuring Act” was an attempt to curtail market manipulation. But it led to an electricity crisis of blackouts and bankruptcies. Problem stems from countless blatant conflicts of interests. In the end, Californians successfully recalled Governor Gray Davis.

Governor of California, Gavin Newsom reelection is being questioned. This is the same public servant reported to be dining with lobbyists among others in a restaurant unmasked whose policies led to the closure of restaurants and businesses.

Some argue that “For Newsom, it was the COVID-19 pandemic and his handling of the lockdown” while “For Davis, it was the electricity crisis and frustration over rolling blackouts.” However, increasing numbers are pushing to recall Newsom point to ALL issues – pandemic, business closures, loss of jobs, deadly fires, and power outages and rolling blackouts.  

In the midst of the instability and uncertainties arising from the pandemic, countless families faced dangerous freezing temperatures unable to pay rent and utilities where power was shut down by utility company or landlords.

GOING UNDERGROUND

From the Americas to Australia undergrounding can be found in select cities with means-wealthy residents and big companies. To get a break down on undergrounding and a look at why two companies (American and Australian) push for the status quo of overhead cables and power lines, see my new paper, “GOING UNDERGROUND: Particle Accelerators to Power Systems”

$1.9 Trillion stimulus package with several billion going to California’s infrastructure, I see opportunities to address the dangers of fires and overturned power lines. Public-Private companies need to revamp ground antiquated power and telecommunications infrastructure in sectors susceptible to dangerous climate conditions.

My mother would say to me, “Tell me whom you’re with, I’ll tell you who you are.”  I say to you, tell me where you live, I’ll tell you if you’re safe.

Cities and its residents need not let companies’ expense argument override their safety and quality of life. Sonoma County Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, “There are always arguments against solutions, but I think there are more compelling arguments against the status quo,” she said.

Undergrounding and overhead cables clearly have advantages and disadvantages. Depending on where you sit, your stance will be based on your city. We find undergrounding omnipresent in primarily two areas of a State: affluent and/or tourist destinations.  

The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board paper, “Rich cities putting power lines underground”  points to “list of communities that have buried power lines, or are talking about doing so: Palm Beach, Longboat Key, Gulf Stream, Winter Park, Key Biscayne, Golden Beach, Jupiter Inlet Colony, Jupiter Island, Palm Beach Shores, Coral Gables, Boca Raton and the Las Olas Isles neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale.”  Clearly, Florida is “Home Safe Home” for a select few.

On the other side of Florida’s private Isles and parks, we find the swamps and the majority of the victims of storm disasters. “Hurricane Irma knocked out electricity to 90 percent of Florida Power & Light customers…among the lessons of Irma is the realization that a rich-poor trend is developing in the push to bury power lines.”  

Attempts by some cities in Northern California to work with public utility companies to go underground are ongoing. J.D. Morris of the San Francisco Chronicle highlights some excellent points in the article, “Put PG&E’s power lines underground? It can be done – expensively and slowly.”

Residents hold their breath as the heat approaches remembering that “For each of the last three wildfire seasons, including the current one, Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s equipment has been involved in one kind of disaster or another. First, catastrophic infernos. Now, massive blackouts — and possibly another fire.” So what are the options?

If you can’t beat them, own them. One city appears to have considered it. “San Francisco is interested in putting more of its power lines below ground, and the city is also trying to buy PG&E’s local electric equipment.”  Of course, having power over electrical power means being financially responsible for it.

As Barbara Hale, the assistant general manager in charge of power at the city’s Public Utilities Commission, noted, “If we own the distribution lines, then we get to decide how to prioritize funding the undergrounding of facilities.”

There’s no question that undergrounding comes at the sacrifice of higher costs. But as South Carolina’s Jack McKenzie, “Investing in our infrastructure, especially infrastructure that improves our quality of life, should be part of this sacrifice.”

McKenzie’s point easily applies to other states, “As the city and county repair and grow, we must make it a priority, part of our culture, to bury lines and plant shade trees. This will help reduce the likelihood of flooding. It will clean the air, reduce water pollution, provide shade, increase economic development and enhance our quality of life…”

A Few Words from the Energy Secretary

In a recent hearing, Jennifer Granholm, the Energy Secretary was commended for her “enthusiasm.” The entire online forum seemed more like a faculty meeting where the Madame Secretary regurgitated her learned knowledge. The bi-partisanship nods of approval of her words made representatives’ blatantly obvious that their posturing was done for the sake of their agendas.

However, some were critical in questioning why Madame Secretary was not “allowed to take part in” discussions with the State department as to sanctions with countries like Russia. Her puzzled expression seems to strengthen the argument that her role is merely that of an academic.

It seems the lecturer, like a politically correct teacher sitting on the left, was more focused on the soft social issues instead of the hard sciences. Will she remember in time that like in school, it takes a lot more than merely showing up with a dazed smile to pass the class.

Former Michigan governor Granholm’s next role was with the University of California, Berkeley. Perhaps when the country’s President’s term is up, she can be appointed a member of California’s school board by Governor Newsom.

Voters, In or Out?

Corruption, as conflict of interest, can be found in some public-private liaisons. Consider higher education. Governor Newsom sits as President of the Board of Regents of the University of California.  

Ventures of some strategic partners tend to financially benefit special interests. Are Lobbyists push for above ground antiquated power and telecommunications working against the people?

Important to note Katie Dowd’s October 9, 2019 report on the cost of underground power lines at the San Francisco Gate.

“There’s also a lot of bad blood built up between the utility company and Californians: In the aftermath of the 2010 San Bruno pipeline explosion that killed eight, news broke that PG&E diverted over $100 million in safety money for other purposes, including bonuses for executives.” But unlike other judges, “In August, a judge denied PG&E’s request to distribute $16 million in bonuses to 12 top executives.”

Voters, feel like you’re getting burned paying your taxes? Noting Gladstone questioning the practical value of electricity, I ask you what is the value of paying taxes when it’s going to fund the very same things you criticize?

Departments and agencies are making their 2022 budget requests. Billions are going to Defense for legacy programs and outdated electrical infrastructure. Californians, make your requests for the billions your State received.

Voters, are the Governor and his appointed members serving the People of California. If not, vote them all out. Sure, a new Governor may not honor their promises. That’s politics. Yet, Recalls set a precedent and a reminder to all Governors.

It is said that death and taxes are the only things you can count on. Noting Faraday’s words on electricity, “One day sir, you may tax it,” brings to mind my message:

One day, Governors, ladies and gentlemen, you will be RECALLED. Count on it.