A failure for state agencies to conduct integrated planning and miscalculating natural gas supplies contributed to California’s rolling power blackouts during a severe heat storm last August, according to a multi-agency report.

california demand power

The California Independent System Operator (CAISO), California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and California Energy Commission (CEC) in the report called for expanded oversight to cope with “accelerating climate change demands” to avoid blackouts similar to those on Aug. 14-15. 

The agencies acknowledged a “shared responsibility” for ordering the outages in response to extreme weather conditions, a lack of adequate resources, and poor planning and marketing practices. The three agencies said “there is more to do” to prepare for summer...