Interior Secretary Warns U.S. At Risk Of Spain-Style Blackouts


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Key Issue:
The U.S. could face widespread power outages like Spain did recently if it overly relies on solar and wind energy without backup plans, warns Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.

What Happened in Spain?

  • 🗓️ April 2023: Spain closed its last coal plant and celebrated a day of generating 100% of its electricity from renewables (solar, wind).
  • ⚠️ Weeks Later: Massive blackouts hit. People were stranded in subways, hospitals lost power, and flights were canceled.
  • Why? Solar and wind are intermittent — they depend on weather. When the sun wasn’t shining or wind wasn’t blowing, the grid couldn’t keep up.

Analogy: Imagine relying on a car that only works when it’s sunny or windy. If the weather changes, you’re stuck. Spain’s grid had no reliable backup when renewables dipped.

Why Burgum Says the U.S. Is at Risk

  1. Current Policies Focus Too Much on Renewables:
    • The Biden administration emphasizes solar/wind subsidies while restricting “always on” power sources like coal, nuclear, and natural gas.
    • Translation: These traditional sources work 24/7, acting like a safety net when renewables can’t meet demand.
  2. Grid Stability Matters:
    • Power grids need constant energy flow (“inertia”) to avoid crashes. Renewables alone can’t provide this.
    • Example: Think of the grid as a bicycle — it needs steady pedaling (constant power) to stay upright. Solar/wind are like pedaling hard sometimes and stopping others.
  3. China’s Energy Strategy:
    • China is expanding both renewables and coal/nuclear to ensure stability. Burgum worries the U.S. is falling behind, risking its energy security and tech growth (like AI).

Key Quotes Simplified

  • Burgum: “You can’t run a grid on solar/wind alone. The sun doesn’t shine at night, and wind isn’t constant. Spain learned this the hard way.”
  • Expert Take (Michael Shellenberger): Europe ignored upgrading grids for stability while pushing renewables. Spain’s blackouts show the danger.

What’s the Solution?

Burgum urges a balanced energy mix:

  • Keep some coal/nuclear plants as backups.
  • Invest in grid updates to handle renewables’ ups and downs.
  • Avoid policies that prioritize “saving the planet” over keeping lights on.

Bottom Line:
While clean energy is important, relying solely on it without reliable backups could lead to chaos. The U.S. needs a plan that balances innovation with practicality — or risk a Spain-style crisis.

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