5 Comments

The grid was never in such peril until wind/solar became pronounced. And the industry dates from the 1880s. Wind and solar for electricity had a proof-of-concept in the 1880s too.

Expand full comment

Much appreciated. There's a lot to know in politics -- and unless one has a little bit of a background in this stuff (like math, and analytics, and logistics, and problem-solving), it can be overwhelming. Politicians are rewarded for narrative and 'likes' -- not solutions or innovations. We leave that to the people for whom we're supposed to be making good decisions.

Expand full comment

Great article, as usual, Richard.

Complexity into layman's understanding -- even for our political class of 'repeaters'. Honestly, if I had a dime for each time I heard a critical thought on energy and the environment in Parliament . . . . . I might have a dime.

Expand full comment

many thanks Greg. As I wrote the phrase "I don’t think anyone in the political classes has the least idea of the existential danger that is creeping as we myopically focus on “emissions”." I knew that there are some rare but incredibly valuable exceptions to such a blanket generalization. Canada has its issues, but the Loyal Opposition is a great strength!

Expand full comment

With the unnecessary closure of San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station at the end of January, 2012 in response to a mismanaged routine replacement of the steam generators, California inched closer to the grid collapse you discuss in this informative article. For additional details, please see the GreenNUKE substack at https://greennuke.substack.com/

Expand full comment