Why are Karen Bass & Gavin Newsom rushing to rethink clean energy rules in the wake of the L.A. fires? Rebuilding homes with gas furnaces won't be any cheaper or faster. If anything, all-electric homes are the best thing for everyone. My @latimes.com column: www.latimes.com/environment/... - ThreadSky

sammyroth.bsky.social • 48 days ago

Why are Karen Bass & Gavin Newsom rushing to rethink clean energy rules in the wake of the L.A. fires?

Rebuilding homes with gas furnaces won't be any cheaper or faster. If anything, all-electric homes are the best thing for everyone. My @latimes.com column: https://www.latimes.com/environment/newsletter/2025-01-30/column-the-los-angeles-fires-are-no-excuse-to-slow-down-on-clean-energy-boiling-point

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hoiyinip.bsky.social•47 days ago

Well done, @sammyroth.bsky.social 👍
Any new gas in buildings will lead to future stranded gas infrastructure which is a waste of money, a source of potential leaks and maintenance, and will probably leave remaining gas customers footing the bill.

kateingold.bsky.social•48 days ago

Thank you for this. It makes absolutely no sense to rebuild with gas. We need electrified homes, equipped with solar and batteries. We retrofit our house with all electric and solar/battery backup and we never lose power, even during windstorms. Grid can be shut off in storms for safety.

sammyroth.bsky.social•48 days ago

Thanks very much for reading.

gstaneff.bsky.social•48 days ago

The interviewees suggest a motive to swiftly return to normal, which seems entirely human and relatable.

We have special rules for the crisis itself. We don't have a set of rules for post-crisis recovery to get from aftermath to restoration. Shouldn't we? Rules created before moments of crisis.

t-antony.bsky.social•48 days ago

They should be rebuilding with green heating options be it gas or electric. Some of the new condensing gas fired boilers are incredibly efficient. LA is a producer of natural gas.
The fight for gas cooking stoves in houses in parts of California is on. Thirty years late but you know, Americans.

profjabbott.bsky.social•47 days ago

Abode.... stop making houses out of wood and paper... those native peoples knew what they were doing

ronhole.bsky.social•48 days ago

If California would take a serious look at its nuclear power generation fleet, and specifically SMRs, they would find that a carbon free energy grid is well within their means.

lawprofpayne.bsky.social•48 days ago

Not having the gas lines would also make undergrounding electric lines easier.

billcorcoran.bsky.social•48 days ago

Great column, Sammy. One addition, and apologies if I missed it in your piece: ditching gas improves safety in earthquake-prone areas like LA. We will have fires again when the next big one ruptures gas lines. How is this not top of mind for electeds?

itsjohns.network•47 days ago

Excellent reporting on the longer term implications. I was wondering if it would also be useful to address the immediate term issues. The Shake Out report specifically called out the large scale urban fire risk of residential methane. Redeploying methane is a near term safety failure.

lhsechrist.bsky.social•48 days ago

Correct!
Louisville, Colorado did not back down on their sustainability codes after the devastating Marshall fire in 2021.

robertrva.bsky.social•47 days ago

https://www.rawstory.com/rfk-jr-la-times/

stellarsdreams.bsky.social•47 days ago

The whole "clean energy" thing is depressing. Have you seen the horrible pollution from mining? So far it's localized, but the more mills and panels and batteries .. look up Simon Michaux.

sunpowered.bsky.social•48 days ago

Many of the homes that burned literally fed fuel to the flames when their gas lines ruptured. This added intensity surely resulted in more houses burning than otherwise would have. Given a clean slate, it's irresponsible to allow gas back in.

bsdrum.bsky.social•48 days ago

Great article. Opportunity for true sustainable building for So Cal- rainwater harvesting, greywater, PV solar, electric everything, battery backup, fire/quake-resistant construction. Why not be the sustainability leaders for US. Cost savings big & achievable when part of a mortgage. Bye CH4!

sammyroth.bsky.social•48 days ago

Thank you for reading.

edhirsch.bsky.social•47 days ago

California Fires: From the corporate criminals at Southern California Edison to the crooks at PG&E

thread🧵
https://bsky.app/profile/edhirsch.bsky.social/post/3lh2d3gsbsk2p

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