On Tuesday, the California Independent System Operator (ISO), an NGO that oversees the state’s power grid, issued a heat bulletin warning of “extreme heat” over the upcoming Labor Day weekend, according to Fox News.
The bulletin states that it “is likely to strain the grid with increased energy demands.” With this, they urge locals, especially electric vehicle owners, to take voluntary actions in reducing electricity usage, such as to temporarily stop “using large appliances and charging electric vehicles.”
Despite the goal to alleviate the current heat wave that California is experiencing, House Republican Whip Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., was dismayed when the state’s power operator said they would advise limiting electric car charging as the state progresses toward making them the only option.
It is worth noting that it was just last week when California Air Resources Board approved regulations that would promote electric vehicles as the only feasible option in the state. If this Advanced Clean Cars II Regulations are approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, the sale of gas-powered vehicles will be outlawed beginning in 2035.
“California is now telling people to ‘avoid using large appliances and charging electric vehicles’ from 4-9pm. This from the same state that’s going to force everyone to buy electric cars by 2035,” Scalise tweeted in response. “This is what Democrat control looks like—and they want it nationwide.” He further added, “What a joke.”
In defense, reduced nighttime electricity use, as explained by the ISO, “will ease strain on the system, and prevent more drastic measures, including rotating power outages.”
Nonetheless, it would be illogical to discourage individuals from using electricity, especially EV owners, as this would undermine the purpose of owning an electric vehicle. This calls for a more viable solution from the government to address the current heat wave aside from discouraging electricity use since this would likely happen in the future if the Advanced Clean Cars II Regulations get approved.
