| Utilities say stringing lines between power poles is the fastest and cheapest way to grow the grid to fight climate change. On the other hand, wildfires sparked by above-ground power lines have devastated communities such as Paradise and Lahaina and the risk continues to increase. The debate over these conflicting realities is raging in Riverside County, where a transmission project planned along the banks of the Santa Ana River is pitting homeowners against business groups, neighboring cities against one another and city leaders against Edison. State regulators soon may be forced to weigh in. Read more The background: Here’s where California’s power grid is most at risk for high winds and fire threat. Read more More like this: Hundreds of deserted oil and gas wells in Southern California could soon get plugged. California has documented nearly 2,000 deserted, unplugged wells in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties alone. Unprecedented funding will help reduce hazards from orphaned wells. But regulators are grappling with which ones to tackle first. Read more More From This Reporter: Find more stories written by Brooke Staggs here. Read more |
