Washington appears to be an anomaly. One of the bluest states, but moderate power rates. Not so?WA is is more complicated. Public power hydro dominated rates are among the lowest in the nation in Red Eastern WA, while Blue Western WA dependent rates are rapidly rising and will approach CA rates. Public power is regulated locally, and state regulated otherwise.
Climate idealogue Gov Inslee guided a Dem dominated legislature to pass the most restrictive climate legislation in the nation including a ban on importation of coal power, and an effective ban on new natural gas generation. A carbon tax on all fossil fuel energy has been implemented: currently over $70 per tonne of carbon that escalates about 8% per year. That is 250% higher than CA's. $5 billion has been collected in just over 3 years. That is on all energy, gasoline, diesel, heating nat gas.
I hope that Sarah B. Does a case study of WA to provide granularity and starkly demonstrate the red/blue divergence.
Dave, thank you! Washington is fascinating because of its large hydro inheritance, and its ban on importing coal affects utilities outside of its state borders. More to come!
Thank you, Sarah. Washington historically used the high-quality power from the huge Colstrip Power Plant in Montana. By banning the import of coal-fired power, California will receive less large hydroelectirc power from Washington state as more of their hydropower is consumed inside Washington state.
Then, there is a large fleet of coal-fired power plants owned by Berkshire Hathaway Energy subsidiary PacifiCorp. This fleet primarily exports coal-fired power from in and around Wyoming to Caoifornia. The latest Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM) Benefits spreadsheet shows that PacifiCorp sold over a billion dollars of their mostly coal-fired power to California entities at wholesale since November, 2014.
PacifiCorp has been a large political lobbyist in "environmentally aware" California. The firm was number 5 lobbyist in 2023, climbing to number 3 lobbyist in 2024. CGNP found irregularities in their 2024 Form 635 lobbying disclosures, which originally claimed a 2024 total of $13,491,845.01 - PacifriCorp's response was to file amended 2024 filings showing a mere $25,500 per quarter lobbying expense to a single lobbying firm. Given PacifiCorp's substantial political activiites in promoting their power exports to California, these amendments are implausible. Note these Form 635 filings are made under the penalty of perjury. For an introduction, see the October 16, 2024 GreenNUKE Substack article, "Protesting California's Ongoing Nuclear to Coal Transition - Part 1 - CGNP protests PacifiCorp's environmental hypocrisy to their CEO" https://greennuke.substack.com/p/protesting-californias-ongoing-nuclear
Thank you for this analysis Sarah. When you get to California, please note there are state-specific policies needlessly raising electricity rates. California has the greatest amount of battery storage and solar of any state.
16,531 MW batteries on 06/01/26 As of 06/11/26, 23,000 MW Solar 12,332 MW Wind.
In Californians for Green Nuclear Power's (CGNP's) physics and engineering-based analysis, inverter-based resource (IBR) generation is "junk power" because IBRs fail to contribute meaningful amounts of synchronous grid inertia (SGI,) an essential grid reliability service. Generators which contribute large amounts of SGI are like giant flywheels like Diablo Canyon Power Plant. See the June 11, 2026 GreenNUKE article, "Why is Grid Inertia Still Important:" https://greennuke.substack.com/p/why-is-grid-inertia-still-important
This seems to be an example of the power of aggressive lobbying paired with ideological bias. The reality is that physical laws will not be repealed by any legislative action. As the April 28, 2025 mid-day Iberian Peninsula blackout illustrates, the consequences of ignoring physical laws are deadly and expensive. CGNP has learned that Spain is now burning much more natural gas to insure adequate SGI at all times. The reason for using natural gas instead of nuclear is the Spanish PSOE government has decreed that nuclear power is supposed to be completely shut down by 2035 as Spain emulates Germany and the U.K., among other left-leaning Western governments. Per the U.S. EIA, the fuel cost for nuclear power is stable at about 1/4 the cost of natural gas or coal on a BTU basis.
Thank you, Sarah. California is distinguished by typically having the highest residential rates per kWH of the continental U.S. This distinction is despite having ideal conditions for solar with one of the largest number of cloudless days in the U.S. (CGNP's study of CAISO daily solar production statistics shows clouds dramatically decrease solar power production.) CGNP is working very hard to inform California decision-makers of the environmental and ratepayer benefits of Diablo Canyon's clean and firm power. For a decade CGNP has been an intervenor before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC.) Normally, intervenors in the public interest like CGNP which supply thousands of pages of wiritten testimony and vigorously participate in the oral phases of Proceedings are rewarded intervenor compensation. However, because CGNP speaks truth to power and opposes their politically-favored energy narrative, we have been penalized instead. Intervenor compensation is for expenses our nonprofit incurred. CGNP has not received a cent of intervenor compensation for since 2018. As a result most of my hours as a well-qualified Ph.D. and former science and engineering professor are pro-bono.
In 2022, I received a presidential citation for my pro Diabloc Canyon advocacy from the American Nuclear Society. My advocacy is discussed in a chapter of Rebecca Tuhus-Dubrow's 2025 nonfiction book, Atomic Dreams: The New Nuclear Evangelists and the Fight for the Future of Energy https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Dreams-Nuclear-Evangelists-Future/dp/1643753150 Chapter 14, titled, "The Guy in the Headband"provides more details regarding my advocacy. My personal trademark which I wear to CPUC hearings is a green headband. I strongly recommend Rebecca's book.
You will find many additional details in the overy 50 articles published at CGNP's GreenNUKE Substack at https://greennuke.substack.com/ since March 4, 2024. CGNP's website al https://CGNP.org has many of our CPUC and some of our FERC filings. Please contact CGNP directly at government [at] CGNP dot org with any questions you may have.
Our juice stayed on during the latest heat wave in Ohio. Can't wait to see how much higher our bill is going to be next month as the air conditioning has been cranking for 3 days and our rates have jumped from aep.
Since June 2025, utility supply rates across the PJM region have increased between 5% and 44%. These increases reflect the 2025-2026 capacity costs. Additional increases are expected as the even higher 2026-2027 capacity costs (22% above current levels) are incorporated through utility procurement auctions. The actual impact on your bill depends on your specific utility, as shown in the table below:
Cheap when the reliability and comfort is factored in. But it could be less expensive if we choose to eliminate the parasitic wind and solar forced on the grid through mandates. Add in the cost of subsidies and I bet prices could be reduced by 30% or more for every regional grid operator. Hope it cools off for you soon!
The high pressure ridge is heading east slowly. We finally got a bit of rain to drop us down about 10 degree last night. AEP wasn't forced by the state to move towards net zero. They did that on their own-
"The report’s theme, “Our Journey Forward," reflects AEP’s sustainable growth strategy, which is focused on a safe, reliable and just transition; environmental compliance and stewardship; employee well-being and engagement; social justice and equity; and strong and effective corporate governance.
In 2023, AEP refreshed its company values to reinforce a commitment to customers and a safe, sustainable energy future. The company’s $43 billion, five-year capital investment plan is designed to meet customers’ energy needs by strengthening its regulated business and supporting growth.
“Safe, affordable and reliable power has never been more important for our customers and the communities we serve,” said Ben Fowke, AEP’s interim president and chief executive officer. “As we work to achieve our net-zero goal, we’re equally committed to working with regulators, policymakers, investors and other stakeholders to balance the transition. We understand the importance of a diverse portfolio of resources especially during a time of unprecedented growth in electricity demand. We will deliver on our purpose and commitment by always prioritizing the needs of our customers and communities.”
It’s never going to happen no matter how many times they write it down or say it out loud. Net zero is currently an impossibility. Luckily with the advent of SubStack people can educate themselves and get involved in stopping this massive waste of resources. And for those that don’t educate themselves and get involved, they will eventually become very aware when their regularly reliable electricity is not available or affordable. That statement you shared is so outlandish that any responsible person that reads it should be raising red flags everywhere possible.
Colorado is quite blue. And yet does fine in your study. With that said, there is a significant chunk of people setting energy policy in our state trying to screw us up as bad as the rest.
People in blue states and in red states where the lawmakers have been captured by the wind and solar lobby need to get wise to wind droughts and lean on the lawmkers to stop loading the grid with wind and solar. maing it vulnerable to failure on wndless nights.
First, this is a good analysis of COSTS: 15¢/kWh red vs 10¢/kWh blue, You should also compare to BENEFITS of the costs.How much CO2 is emitted? Can you get credible state-wide numbers?
Look these factors do increase electricity rates no doubt, but the biggest factor in blue state rates is 100% the bonkers state and local permitting and regulatory processes which killed new gas plants and now kill renewable projects.
These are reflected in not just direct costs to plants but indirect costs by making everything else more expensive like labor.
These costs put new ISO NE gas plant capex easily at a 50% premium to the south, pre Covid, probably more now.
These policies also for what it’s worth kill those states renewable dreams too (NY has half the battery storage moratoriums in the country despite having one of the most aggressive BESS targets lol)
Second, Gene Nelson reminds us of battery costs. I have never seen a credible, complete analysis of the full cost utilities actually SPEND to purchase, install, integrate, operate, insure, repair and charge up grid-scale batteries. Nor do we know the cost of missing 'grid forming' batteries that could protect against cascading failures such as in Iberia. We also need published projections of how many hours batteries last during periods of cloudy, windless weather, being sure to account for recharge demand.
Regarding California battery costs, note this February 8, 2025 article from the Tuco's Child Substack, "A Net-Zero Chernobyl: California Battery Fire Releases Tons of Carcinogenic Metals and Toxic Gases Toxic materials blanket communities, farms, and a sensitive estuary,"
There's plenty of food that you can live on, but a lot of it is junk food. Solar and Wind is junk food that lacks the nutrients needed to create the energy needed for human life.
To win the Energy Debate, a quick look at California continues to draw attention !
Governor Newsom, and the Democratic controlled Sacramento, have been instrumental in establishing California as a National Security risk for the USA.
Newsom remains oblivious to Energy "REALITY" that wind turbines and solar panels ONLY generate electricity but CANNOT make any transportation fuels or products for life as we know it.
Today, we have 6 ways to generate electricity by coal, natural gas, hydro, nuclear, wind, and solar, but ALL the components such as wire, insulation, computers, etc., are MADE FROM fossil fuels. Thus, without crude oil there can be no Electricity.
In addition, without those multi-billion-dollar refineries to manufacture that useless black tar that we call crude oil, we will have NO usable transportation fuels and oil derivatives that are the basis of more than 6,000 products in our daily lives.
Without in-state refineries on the California “energy island”, the State will be unable to support the humongous transportation fuel supply chain demands of 48 million gallons EVERY DAY within the State of California for:
• 3 of the busiest Ports in America, requiring bunker fuel for the merchant ships.
• Gasoline is the most used transportation fuel in California, with ninety seven percent of all gasoline being consumed by light-duty cars, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. In 2024, 13.4 billion gallons of gasoline were sold, which equates to about 37 million gallons a day for gasoline.
• Diesel fuel representing 17 percent of total fuel sales behind gasoline. In 2024, 3.5 billion gallons of diesel (including offroad diesel) were sold, which equates to about 10 million gallons a day of diesel.
• Jet fuel for the States’ 9 international airports and 40 military airports was 93,394,000 barrels, or 3,922,548,000 gallons, which equates to about 11 million gallons a day of jet fuel.
By not being able to meet the humongous supply-chain demands for 48 million gallons of transportation fuels on a daily basis for the 4th largest economy in the world, made from in-state refineries on the California “Energy Island”, those transportation fuels will need to be imported from refineries located in foreign countries that are GROSS POLLUTERS, then shipped to California across the ocean for 30 to 45 days via ships that are also GROSS POLLUTERS.
With the loss of in-state refineries, California’s growing dependence on refineries located in foreign countries to meet the State’s DEMANDS for those 61 million gallons of transportation fuels DAILY, Newsom has successfully established California as a National Security Risk for the entire America continent.
To win the Energy Debate, a quick look at California continues to draw attention !
Governor Newsom, and the Democratic controlled Sacramento, have been instrumental in establishing California as a National Security risk for the USA.
Newsom remains oblivious to Energy "REALITY" that wind turbines and solar panels ONLY generate electricity but CANNOT make any transportation fuels or products for life as we know it.
Today, we have 6 ways to generate electricity by coal, natural gas, hydro, nuclear, wind, and solar, but ALL the components such as wire, insulation, computers, etc., are MADE FROM fossil fuels. Thus, without crude oil there can be no Electricity.
In addition, without those multi-billion-dollar refineries to manufacture that useless black tar that we call crude oil, we will have NO usable transportation fuels and oil derivatives that are the basis of more than 6,000 products in our daily lives.
Without in-state refineries on the California “energy island”, the State will be unable to support the humongous transportation fuel supply chain demands of 48 million gallons EVERY DAY within the State of California for:
• 3 of the busiest Ports in America, requiring bunker fuel for the merchant ships.
• Gasoline is the most used transportation fuel in California, with ninety seven percent of all gasoline being consumed by light-duty cars, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. In 2024, 13.4 billion gallons of gasoline were sold, which equates to about 37 million gallons a day for gasoline.
• Diesel fuel representing 17 percent of total fuel sales behind gasoline. In 2024, 3.5 billion gallons of diesel (including offroad diesel) were sold, which equates to about 10 million gallons a day of diesel.
• Jet fuel for the States’ 9 international airports and 40 military airports was 93,394,000 barrels, or 3,922,548,000 gallons, which equates to about 11 million gallons a day of jet fuel.
By not being able to meet the humongous supply-chain demands for 61 million gallons of transportation fuels on a daily basis for the 4th largest economy in the world, made from in-state refineries on the California “Energy Island”, those transportation fuels will need to be imported from refineries located in foreign countries that are GROSS POLLUTERS, then shipped to California across the ocean for 30 to 45 days via ships that are also GROSS POLLUTERS.
With the loss of in-state refineries, California’s growing dependence on refineries located in foreign countries to meet the State’s DEMANDS for those 61 million gallons of transportation fuels DAILY, Newsom has successfully established California as a National Security Risk for the entire America continent.
Washington appears to be an anomaly. One of the bluest states, but moderate power rates. Not so?WA is is more complicated. Public power hydro dominated rates are among the lowest in the nation in Red Eastern WA, while Blue Western WA dependent rates are rapidly rising and will approach CA rates. Public power is regulated locally, and state regulated otherwise.
Climate idealogue Gov Inslee guided a Dem dominated legislature to pass the most restrictive climate legislation in the nation including a ban on importation of coal power, and an effective ban on new natural gas generation. A carbon tax on all fossil fuel energy has been implemented: currently over $70 per tonne of carbon that escalates about 8% per year. That is 250% higher than CA's. $5 billion has been collected in just over 3 years. That is on all energy, gasoline, diesel, heating nat gas.
I hope that Sarah B. Does a case study of WA to provide granularity and starkly demonstrate the red/blue divergence.
Dave, thank you! Washington is fascinating because of its large hydro inheritance, and its ban on importing coal affects utilities outside of its state borders. More to come!
Thank you, Sarah. Washington historically used the high-quality power from the huge Colstrip Power Plant in Montana. By banning the import of coal-fired power, California will receive less large hydroelectirc power from Washington state as more of their hydropower is consumed inside Washington state.
Then, there is a large fleet of coal-fired power plants owned by Berkshire Hathaway Energy subsidiary PacifiCorp. This fleet primarily exports coal-fired power from in and around Wyoming to Caoifornia. The latest Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM) Benefits spreadsheet shows that PacifiCorp sold over a billion dollars of their mostly coal-fired power to California entities at wholesale since November, 2014.
PacifiCorp has been a large political lobbyist in "environmentally aware" California. The firm was number 5 lobbyist in 2023, climbing to number 3 lobbyist in 2024. CGNP found irregularities in their 2024 Form 635 lobbying disclosures, which originally claimed a 2024 total of $13,491,845.01 - PacifriCorp's response was to file amended 2024 filings showing a mere $25,500 per quarter lobbying expense to a single lobbying firm. Given PacifiCorp's substantial political activiites in promoting their power exports to California, these amendments are implausible. Note these Form 635 filings are made under the penalty of perjury. For an introduction, see the October 16, 2024 GreenNUKE Substack article, "Protesting California's Ongoing Nuclear to Coal Transition - Part 1 - CGNP protests PacifiCorp's environmental hypocrisy to their CEO" https://greennuke.substack.com/p/protesting-californias-ongoing-nuclear
Thank you for this analysis Sarah. When you get to California, please note there are state-specific policies needlessly raising electricity rates. California has the greatest amount of battery storage and solar of any state.
Per CAISO, https://www.caiso.com/documents/key-statistics-may-2026.pdf
16,531 MW batteries on 06/01/26 As of 06/11/26, 23,000 MW Solar 12,332 MW Wind.
In Californians for Green Nuclear Power's (CGNP's) physics and engineering-based analysis, inverter-based resource (IBR) generation is "junk power" because IBRs fail to contribute meaningful amounts of synchronous grid inertia (SGI,) an essential grid reliability service. Generators which contribute large amounts of SGI are like giant flywheels like Diablo Canyon Power Plant. See the June 11, 2026 GreenNUKE article, "Why is Grid Inertia Still Important:" https://greennuke.substack.com/p/why-is-grid-inertia-still-important
This seems to be an example of the power of aggressive lobbying paired with ideological bias. The reality is that physical laws will not be repealed by any legislative action. As the April 28, 2025 mid-day Iberian Peninsula blackout illustrates, the consequences of ignoring physical laws are deadly and expensive. CGNP has learned that Spain is now burning much more natural gas to insure adequate SGI at all times. The reason for using natural gas instead of nuclear is the Spanish PSOE government has decreed that nuclear power is supposed to be completely shut down by 2035 as Spain emulates Germany and the U.K., among other left-leaning Western governments. Per the U.S. EIA, the fuel cost for nuclear power is stable at about 1/4 the cost of natural gas or coal on a BTU basis.
Thank you, Gene! This is a geat flag for our California/CAISO analysis.
Thank you, Sarah. California is distinguished by typically having the highest residential rates per kWH of the continental U.S. This distinction is despite having ideal conditions for solar with one of the largest number of cloudless days in the U.S. (CGNP's study of CAISO daily solar production statistics shows clouds dramatically decrease solar power production.) CGNP is working very hard to inform California decision-makers of the environmental and ratepayer benefits of Diablo Canyon's clean and firm power. For a decade CGNP has been an intervenor before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC.) Normally, intervenors in the public interest like CGNP which supply thousands of pages of wiritten testimony and vigorously participate in the oral phases of Proceedings are rewarded intervenor compensation. However, because CGNP speaks truth to power and opposes their politically-favored energy narrative, we have been penalized instead. Intervenor compensation is for expenses our nonprofit incurred. CGNP has not received a cent of intervenor compensation for since 2018. As a result most of my hours as a well-qualified Ph.D. and former science and engineering professor are pro-bono.
In 2022, I received a presidential citation for my pro Diabloc Canyon advocacy from the American Nuclear Society. My advocacy is discussed in a chapter of Rebecca Tuhus-Dubrow's 2025 nonfiction book, Atomic Dreams: The New Nuclear Evangelists and the Fight for the Future of Energy https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Dreams-Nuclear-Evangelists-Future/dp/1643753150 Chapter 14, titled, "The Guy in the Headband"provides more details regarding my advocacy. My personal trademark which I wear to CPUC hearings is a green headband. I strongly recommend Rebecca's book.
You will find many additional details in the overy 50 articles published at CGNP's GreenNUKE Substack at https://greennuke.substack.com/ since March 4, 2024. CGNP's website al https://CGNP.org has many of our CPUC and some of our FERC filings. Please contact CGNP directly at government [at] CGNP dot org with any questions you may have.
Outstanding article, and have a fantastic 4th Celebration to my favorite Bad Boys!
Happy birthday America 🇺🇸 and enjoy the Holiday team EBB!
Thanks, Dave! 🇺🇸
Our juice stayed on during the latest heat wave in Ohio. Can't wait to see how much higher our bill is going to be next month as the air conditioning has been cranking for 3 days and our rates have jumped from aep.
https://gridshopper.com/blog/pjm-capacity-auction
.....Actual Bill Increases Being Observed
Since June 2025, utility supply rates across the PJM region have increased between 5% and 44%. These increases reflect the 2025-2026 capacity costs. Additional increases are expected as the even higher 2026-2027 capacity costs (22% above current levels) are incorporated through utility procurement auctions. The actual impact on your bill depends on your specific utility, as shown in the table below:
Utility Previous Rate New Rate Increase
Ohio
AEP Ohio $0.0732 $0.1052 43.7%
Duke Energy Ohio $0.0802 $0.1043 30.0%
Ohio Edison $0.0743 $0.0885 19.1%
......
Cheap when the reliability and comfort is factored in. But it could be less expensive if we choose to eliminate the parasitic wind and solar forced on the grid through mandates. Add in the cost of subsidies and I bet prices could be reduced by 30% or more for every regional grid operator. Hope it cools off for you soon!
The high pressure ridge is heading east slowly. We finally got a bit of rain to drop us down about 10 degree last night. AEP wasn't forced by the state to move towards net zero. They did that on their own-
https://www.aep.com/news/stories/view/9497/AEP-Releases-2024-Corporate-Sustainability-Report-/
"The report’s theme, “Our Journey Forward," reflects AEP’s sustainable growth strategy, which is focused on a safe, reliable and just transition; environmental compliance and stewardship; employee well-being and engagement; social justice and equity; and strong and effective corporate governance.
In 2023, AEP refreshed its company values to reinforce a commitment to customers and a safe, sustainable energy future. The company’s $43 billion, five-year capital investment plan is designed to meet customers’ energy needs by strengthening its regulated business and supporting growth.
“Safe, affordable and reliable power has never been more important for our customers and the communities we serve,” said Ben Fowke, AEP’s interim president and chief executive officer. “As we work to achieve our net-zero goal, we’re equally committed to working with regulators, policymakers, investors and other stakeholders to balance the transition. We understand the importance of a diverse portfolio of resources especially during a time of unprecedented growth in electricity demand. We will deliver on our purpose and commitment by always prioritizing the needs of our customers and communities.”
It’s never going to happen no matter how many times they write it down or say it out loud. Net zero is currently an impossibility. Luckily with the advent of SubStack people can educate themselves and get involved in stopping this massive waste of resources. And for those that don’t educate themselves and get involved, they will eventually become very aware when their regularly reliable electricity is not available or affordable. That statement you shared is so outlandish that any responsible person that reads it should be raising red flags everywhere possible.
It seems the state does have a RE requirement, but it calls nuclear and gas renewable. https://www.wosu.org/2025-10-24/25-generation-by-2025-where-did-ohios-clean-energy-law-go
Colorado is quite blue. And yet does fine in your study. With that said, there is a significant chunk of people setting energy policy in our state trying to screw us up as bad as the rest.
Fine is a relative term when it applies to Colorado! I'll be sure to notify you when we have our Colorado profile published.
People in blue states and in red states where the lawmakers have been captured by the wind and solar lobby need to get wise to wind droughts and lean on the lawmkers to stop loading the grid with wind and solar. maing it vulnerable to failure on wndless nights.
https://rafechampion.substack.com/p/will-windpower-heat-your-breakfast
EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW THAT WIND AND SOLAR CAPACITY AIN’T REAL CAPACITY!
https://rafechampion.substack.com/p/wind-and-solar-aint-capacity
As for batteries, see Bill Gates😊 https://youtu.be/VjgDvG13Hgs
On top of all that, wind and solar don’t generate enough energy to reproduce themselves so they are parasites and a net drain on the energy economy at large. 😊https://rafechampion.substack.com/p/wind-and-solar-are-parasites-on-the
DEMAND INQUIRIES INTO THE FAILURE OF DUE DILIGENCE https://rafechampion.substack.com/p/criminal-failure-of-due-diligence
AND STOP THE ANTI-SCIENTIFIC ALARM ABOUT WARMING AND PLANT FOOD https://rafechampion.substack.com/p/enough-of-the-decarbonisation-cult
The Net Zero program is essentially a war on plant food.
READ A BOOK OR TWO AND STOP WORRYING ABOUT IT!
https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=Rafe+Champion&i=stripbooks&crid=GZ66NWUYZ193&sprefix=rafe+champion%2Cstripbooks%2C262&ref=nb_sb_noss
First, this is a good analysis of COSTS: 15¢/kWh red vs 10¢/kWh blue, You should also compare to BENEFITS of the costs.How much CO2 is emitted? Can you get credible state-wide numbers?
Look these factors do increase electricity rates no doubt, but the biggest factor in blue state rates is 100% the bonkers state and local permitting and regulatory processes which killed new gas plants and now kill renewable projects.
These are reflected in not just direct costs to plants but indirect costs by making everything else more expensive like labor.
These costs put new ISO NE gas plant capex easily at a 50% premium to the south, pre Covid, probably more now.
These policies also for what it’s worth kill those states renewable dreams too (NY has half the battery storage moratoriums in the country despite having one of the most aggressive BESS targets lol)
Second, Gene Nelson reminds us of battery costs. I have never seen a credible, complete analysis of the full cost utilities actually SPEND to purchase, install, integrate, operate, insure, repair and charge up grid-scale batteries. Nor do we know the cost of missing 'grid forming' batteries that could protect against cascading failures such as in Iberia. We also need published projections of how many hours batteries last during periods of cloudy, windless weather, being sure to account for recharge demand.
Regarding California battery costs, note this February 8, 2025 article from the Tuco's Child Substack, "A Net-Zero Chernobyl: California Battery Fire Releases Tons of Carcinogenic Metals and Toxic Gases Toxic materials blanket communities, farms, and a sensitive estuary,"
https://tucoschild.substack.com/p/a-net-zero-chernobyl-california-battery
The total cost of this conflagration will be around a half-billion dollars.
Don't forget to factor in the relatively short lifetime of batteries in any such calculation. They must be completely replaced in less than ten years.
There's plenty of food that you can live on, but a lot of it is junk food. Solar and Wind is junk food that lacks the nutrients needed to create the energy needed for human life.
Wow I’ve been waiting my whole life for this website haha
The American economy runs on transportation
To win the Energy Debate, a quick look at California continues to draw attention !
Governor Newsom, and the Democratic controlled Sacramento, have been instrumental in establishing California as a National Security risk for the USA.
Newsom remains oblivious to Energy "REALITY" that wind turbines and solar panels ONLY generate electricity but CANNOT make any transportation fuels or products for life as we know it.
Today, we have 6 ways to generate electricity by coal, natural gas, hydro, nuclear, wind, and solar, but ALL the components such as wire, insulation, computers, etc., are MADE FROM fossil fuels. Thus, without crude oil there can be no Electricity.
In addition, without those multi-billion-dollar refineries to manufacture that useless black tar that we call crude oil, we will have NO usable transportation fuels and oil derivatives that are the basis of more than 6,000 products in our daily lives.
Without in-state refineries on the California “energy island”, the State will be unable to support the humongous transportation fuel supply chain demands of 48 million gallons EVERY DAY within the State of California for:
• 3 of the busiest Ports in America, requiring bunker fuel for the merchant ships.
• Gasoline is the most used transportation fuel in California, with ninety seven percent of all gasoline being consumed by light-duty cars, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. In 2024, 13.4 billion gallons of gasoline were sold, which equates to about 37 million gallons a day for gasoline.
• Diesel fuel representing 17 percent of total fuel sales behind gasoline. In 2024, 3.5 billion gallons of diesel (including offroad diesel) were sold, which equates to about 10 million gallons a day of diesel.
• Jet fuel for the States’ 9 international airports and 40 military airports was 93,394,000 barrels, or 3,922,548,000 gallons, which equates to about 11 million gallons a day of jet fuel.
By not being able to meet the humongous supply-chain demands for 48 million gallons of transportation fuels on a daily basis for the 4th largest economy in the world, made from in-state refineries on the California “Energy Island”, those transportation fuels will need to be imported from refineries located in foreign countries that are GROSS POLLUTERS, then shipped to California across the ocean for 30 to 45 days via ships that are also GROSS POLLUTERS.
With the loss of in-state refineries, California’s growing dependence on refineries located in foreign countries to meet the State’s DEMANDS for those 61 million gallons of transportation fuels DAILY, Newsom has successfully established California as a National Security Risk for the entire America continent.
The American economy runs on transportation
To win the Energy Debate, a quick look at California continues to draw attention !
Governor Newsom, and the Democratic controlled Sacramento, have been instrumental in establishing California as a National Security risk for the USA.
Newsom remains oblivious to Energy "REALITY" that wind turbines and solar panels ONLY generate electricity but CANNOT make any transportation fuels or products for life as we know it.
Today, we have 6 ways to generate electricity by coal, natural gas, hydro, nuclear, wind, and solar, but ALL the components such as wire, insulation, computers, etc., are MADE FROM fossil fuels. Thus, without crude oil there can be no Electricity.
In addition, without those multi-billion-dollar refineries to manufacture that useless black tar that we call crude oil, we will have NO usable transportation fuels and oil derivatives that are the basis of more than 6,000 products in our daily lives.
Without in-state refineries on the California “energy island”, the State will be unable to support the humongous transportation fuel supply chain demands of 48 million gallons EVERY DAY within the State of California for:
• 3 of the busiest Ports in America, requiring bunker fuel for the merchant ships.
• Gasoline is the most used transportation fuel in California, with ninety seven percent of all gasoline being consumed by light-duty cars, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. In 2024, 13.4 billion gallons of gasoline were sold, which equates to about 37 million gallons a day for gasoline.
• Diesel fuel representing 17 percent of total fuel sales behind gasoline. In 2024, 3.5 billion gallons of diesel (including offroad diesel) were sold, which equates to about 10 million gallons a day of diesel.
• Jet fuel for the States’ 9 international airports and 40 military airports was 93,394,000 barrels, or 3,922,548,000 gallons, which equates to about 11 million gallons a day of jet fuel.
By not being able to meet the humongous supply-chain demands for 61 million gallons of transportation fuels on a daily basis for the 4th largest economy in the world, made from in-state refineries on the California “Energy Island”, those transportation fuels will need to be imported from refineries located in foreign countries that are GROSS POLLUTERS, then shipped to California across the ocean for 30 to 45 days via ships that are also GROSS POLLUTERS.
With the loss of in-state refineries, California’s growing dependence on refineries located in foreign countries to meet the State’s DEMANDS for those 61 million gallons of transportation fuels DAILY, Newsom has successfully established California as a National Security Risk for the entire America continent.
Vote Libertarian and see your prices crash below red or blue noobs