With a record heat wave leading to rolling blackouts throughout the state, Gov. Newsom issued an order Monday allowing utilities to dip into backup energy sources. The order also relaxes air quality regulations around the use of portable generators for backup power, taking further pressure off the grid.
“We appreciate what a critical time this is for agriculture, as so many crops are being harvested and processed,” CDFA said in a statement to winery and food processing groups following the announcement.
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The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has also been releasing more water through Davis, Glen Canyon and Hoover Dams to generate more hydroelectric power and stabilize the southwestern electric grid during the crisis.
