Rep. Eric Swalwell, a Democrat, recently received a dose of his own medicine as he urges Californians to use less electricity on Tuesday to avoid blackouts. When the lawmaker made fun of Texas for experiencing comparable problems just two months earlier, perhaps he never thought that the same fate would befall his golden state.
The Electricity Reliability Council of Texas warned Texans to reduce their energy use to prevent blackouts. It was ultimately abandoned because the state’s law-abiding and responsible citizens lowered their energy use on a voluntary basis.
Texas. Where Republicans provide plenty of energy to control your body, but no energy to control your thermostat. https://t.co/J8drhYbVC7
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) July 11, 2022
This prompted Swalwell to criticize the state’s abortion laws on Twitter in response.
At least Texas was able to control the situation before it hurt any locals. The independent system operator in California did not have the same good fortune. Before the CISO narrowly avoided rolling blackouts, thousands of Golden State residents apparently endured power outages.
It’s time to rally, California!
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) September 6, 2022
We all need to do our part to help avoid power outages this week.
Before 4pm, pre-cool your home. After 4pm, avoid use of major appliances and turn your thermostat to 78 or higher.
Let’s keep the lights on, California.
As he tweeted, the representative also boosted the call, “We all need to do our part to help avoid power outages this week. Before 4 pm, pre-cool your home, After 4pm, avoid use of major appliances and turn your thermostat to 78 or higher. Let’s keep the lights on, California.”
In a video statement, the governor and democrat Gavin Newson further stated, “You’ve stepped up to help in a big way to keep the lights on so far. But we’re heading into the worst part of this heat wave. And the risk for outages is real, and it’s immediate.”
CA is experiencing an unprecedented heatwave. This will be the hottest & longest on record for September.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) September 6, 2022
Our energy grid is being pushed to its max. The risk of outages is real.
We need everyone to double down to save energy after 4pm today.pic.twitter.com/6QWozS0pyp
The National Weather Service supported Newsom’s assertion as well, pointing out that a recent assessment revealed that the western United States was in fact experiencing a dangerous heat wave with an increased risk of fires. Citizens who were informed that the sale of gas-powered automobiles would be prohibited in 2035 were instructed to avoid charging their electric vehicles by any means in addition to the safety measures implemented by the States.
