Irwin: California must lead the charge in grid manufacturing to meet climate goals
Irwin: California must lead the charge in grid manufacturing to meet climate goals
Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin | Your Turn
California has long been a national leader in climate policy. But when it comes to the electrical infrastructure that powers our clean energy future, we are dangerously behind.
As we electrify homes, vehicles and industries, our demand for reliable electricity is skyrocketing, and our outdated supply chain is creating dangerous delays. Projects critical to our clean energy transition are being held up because we simply can’t get the equipment we need fast enough.
The California Energy Commission estimates that electricity demand will increase by up to 76% by 2045. To meet that, we’ll need more substation transformers, transmission lines, and distribution equipment than ever before. But right now, it takes 3-5 years to get a large transformer delivered. That’s not just a delay, it’s a crisis.
These long wait times are no longer just an inconvenience. They’re stopping new housing projects, delaying EV charging infrastructure, and threatening the stability of our grid. In a state where heat waves, wildfires, and blackouts are becoming more common, this is unacceptable.
Even the White House National Infrastructure Advisory Council has sounded the alarm. A recent report identified the transformer shortage as a national security risk, warning that continued reliance on foreign-made components, primarily from China and Germany, leaves the U.S. grid dangerously vulnerable.
It’s time to act. That’s why I introduced Assembly Bill 1182.
This bill directs the California Energy Commission to report on the current state of transformer and grid infrastructure manufacturing in our state. It’s a crucial first step toward a long-overdue goal: bringing critical grid component manufacturing back to California.
California’s climate future depends on a modern, resilient, and reliable power grid. But the grid is only as strong as the parts it’s made of. If we don’t take control of our supply chain now, we will fall short of our clean energy commitments.
AB 1182 puts us on the path forward. Let’s not wait for another blackout or missed opportunity to act.
Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin serves California’s 42nd Assembly District encompassing much of Ventura County and portions of Los Angeles County. A former engineer, Assemblymember Irwin has authored a number of bills that focus on the environment and sustainability during her 10 years in the Legislature.