Boiling Point - Episode: "Abundance, Part 2: What’s Slowing Down Solar?"

Introduction

In the second installment of the "Abundance" series, host and LA Times Studios climate columnist Sammy Roth delves into the critical issue of solar energy expansion in California. Building on the previous episode's discussion on housing, this episode focuses on renewable energy, particularly solar power, exploring the multifaceted challenges and potential solutions to accelerate the state's transition to clean energy.

Renewable Energy Needs in California

Sammy Roth opens the discussion by highlighting California's ambitious climate and renewable energy goals. He emphasizes the urgent need to add 127,000 megawatts (MW) to the state's electricity grid over the next two decades to meet decarbonization targets and accommodate the electrification of various sectors, including transportation.

"We have to add a lot more energy, a lot more renewable energy to meet the electricity needs we already have and to add a lot more electricity for electric vehicles, electric homes, et cetera." ([05:39])

Challenges in Scaling Solar

Shannon Eddy, Executive Director of the Large Scale Solar Association, acknowledges that California is currently behind schedule in scaling up its renewable energy infrastructure. While historic additions to the grid have been modest, the state's current trajectory requires a dramatic increase in annual additions—from a few thousand MW to 6,000 MW each year.

"We are having to jump the tracks of what we did in the past and build a lot more and a lot faster than we have in the past." ([07:00])

Kim Delfino, President of Earth Advocacy, concurs with the necessity for rapid expansion but adds complexity to the equation. She underscores the importance of integrating energy storage solutions to address the intermittent nature of solar and wind energy.

"With the solar and the wind, which doesn't operate all the time... you need to have more storage, more ability to sort of let the flow of electrons even out and be there when we need them the most." ([08:13])

The Darden Project: A Case Study

The conversation shifts to the Darden Project, a massive solar and battery storage initiative in Fresno County. Shannon elaborates on the project's scale—1150 MW of solar capacity paired with 4,600 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery storage—and its potential to be the largest solar energy project globally.

"When you think about it, it'll be the largest solar energy project in the world." ([09:48])

This project serves as a benchmark for both progress and the accompanying challenges, particularly in balancing energy expansion with environmental conservation.

Balancing Renewable Energy and Conservation

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around California's 30 by 30 goal, which aims to protect 30% of the state's lands and waters by 2030. Kim Delfino provides a status update, noting that California has achieved 26.1% of this target by adding over 850,000 acres in 2024. However, she emphasizes that meeting the 30% goal is just the beginning, with scientists advocating for the protection of up to half the Earth's land by 2050.

"Even if we meet 30 by 30 and we try to go beyond that and protect ecosystems at a level where they're not going to fail, I do believe... we can meet our clean energy goals and protect ecosystems." ([12:35])

Shannon highlights the dual role of conservation in renewable energy projects. For every acre of habitat impacted by solar development, mitigation measures require the preservation or restoration of additional land, contributing to permanent conservation efforts.

"Of the 70,000 megawatts, that will probably result in about a 3 to 4 billion dollars conservation investment." ([13:32])

Rooftop Solar vs. Large-Scale Solar

The conversation transitions to the role of rooftop and community solar in California's energy mix. Sammy Roth expresses frustration with current policies that hinder the affordability and accessibility of rooftop solar installations, citing personal experiences of inflated costs.

"I had the quote back and it was triple what I had originally thought it was going to be... that was really unfortunate to have those as policies here in California." ([21:02])

Shannon explains that regulatory decisions, influenced by large investor-owned utilities, have significantly reduced incentives for rooftop solar, despite its potential benefits in providing reliability and reducing dependence on extensive transmission infrastructure.

"The Public Utilities Commission... voted a couple of years ago to quite dramatically reduce the incentive payments for rooftop solar." ([22:57])

Community Engagement and Misinformation

A critical barrier identified is the challenge of community engagement amidst widespread misinformation and political polarization. Sammy Roth discusses how misinformation about renewable energy fuels resistance, making it difficult to achieve local support for solar projects.

"There's so much misinformation spreading about renewable energy... people really, really believe... misinformation." ([35:45])

Both guests agree that effective community engagement is essential. Kim emphasizes the importance of educating communities about the benefits of renewable projects to garner support and mitigate opposition.

"As you do more engagement, the more communities are able to have some input but also understand what the benefits are." ([32:30])

The Abundance Framework

Shannon introduces the "abundance" concept proposed by journalists Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, which argues that excessive regulation in liberal states impedes the development of necessary infrastructure, including renewable energy. Sammy Roth critiques this framework, suggesting that while increasing renewable energy is crucial, it must be balanced with ecosystem preservation and community values.

"We can build things faster... but we can still do it while protecting our core values, which include communities, cultural resources, Natural resources." ([27:43])

Optimism and the Path Forward

Despite the challenges, both Shannon and Kim express cautious optimism. Shannon underscores the economic and environmental inevitability of solar energy, while Kim highlights successful community engagement examples, such as the Darden Project, where initial skepticism was transformed into support through dialogue and tangible benefits.

Sammy Roth remains hopeful that ongoing efforts and increased community understanding will pave the way for accelerated renewable energy development without compromising environmental and social values.

"I do think that the abundance frame... it's a misuse of the concept... I think we have that can be done." ([12:35])

Property Taxes and Economic Incentives

Towards the end, the discussion touches on upcoming changes to property taxes for solar projects. Starting in 2027, solar installations will be subject to full property taxes, potentially adding significant revenue to local communities and the state budget. This economic shift could alter the dynamics of renewable energy projects, making them more financially viable and beneficial to localities.

"Darden will be paying, I think, somewhere on the level of 300 million in property taxes in the first 10 years alone." ([35:06])

Conclusion

"Abundance, Part 2: What’s Slowing Down Solar?" provides a comprehensive exploration of the intricate balance between expanding renewable energy and conserving California's natural ecosystems. Through insightful dialogue, Sammy Roth, Shannon Eddy, and Kim Delfino navigate the complexities of policy, community engagement, and environmental stewardship, offering both challenges and pathways forward in California's critical energy transition.

Notable Quotes

• Sammy Roth ([05:39]): "We have to add a lot more energy, a lot more renewable energy to meet the electricity needs we already have and to add a lot more electricity for electric vehicles, electric homes, et cetera."

• Shannon Eddy ([07:00]): "We are having to jump the tracks of what we did in the past and build a lot more and a lot faster than we have in the past."

• Kim Delfino ([08:13]): "With the solar and the wind, which doesn't operate all the time... you need to have more storage, more ability to sort of let the flow of electrons even out and be there when we need them the most."

• Kim Delfino ([12:35]): "Even if we meet 30 by 30 and we try to go beyond that and protect ecosystems at a level where they're not going to fail, I do believe... we can meet our clean energy goals and protect ecosystems."

• Shannon Eddy ([22:57]): "The Public Utilities Commission... voted a couple of years ago to quite dramatically reduce the incentive payments for rooftop solar."

• Shannon Eddy ([35:06]): "Darden will be paying, I think, somewhere on the level of 300 million in property taxes in the first 10 years alone."

For More Information

Listeners interested in engaging with the topics discussed or sharing their perspectives can reach out to Sammy Roth via email at sammyrothatimes.com. Stay tuned for the next episode, featuring discussions on the Colorado River and its looming water challenges.