A Decade of Energy Policy, Rolling Blackouts, and Infrastructure Strain

Over the past decade, rolling blackouts and public safety outage management shutoffs (PSOMs) have become contentious policies for managing wildfire risks in Nevada and California. The growing reliance on these measures points to the broader systemic challenges tied to shifting energy policies and aging infrastructure, leaving communities frustrated and vulnerable.

One central issue is the regulatory environment surrounding vegetation management near powerlines. Laws in response to environmental concerns restricted tree removal, brush, and limbs were enacted, particularly in California.

While these policies aimed to protect ecosystems, critics argue they leave powerlines dangerously exposed to ignition risks, particularly during high winds and dry conditions. The result has been an increase in precautionary outages during fire seasons.

Compounding the problem is the evolution of energy production. Over the last decade, the energy sector has moved away from coal-powered plants toward renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.

The shift, driven by climate goals and policy mandates, has increased energy production costs and posed logistical challenges, including maintaining reliability during peak demand. Renewable energy infrastructure often requires substantial upfront investment, leaving fewer resources for critical grid maintenance.

Recent developments, such as NV Energy’s $4.24 billion Greenlink transmission projects, reflect efforts to modernize the grid and expand access to renewable energy. The projects, spanning hundreds of miles across Nevada, aim to strengthen transmission capacity while supporting the state’s decarbonization goals.

However, the high costs of such initiatives, coupled with concerns over their environmental impact, have drawn scrutiny from residents and advocacy groups. Public safety outages in Northern Nevada this week, impacting over 15,000 customers, are the consequences of a strained system.