California's energy system has changed rapidly under Gov. Gavin Newsom, with major growth in clean power, battery storage, and electric vehicles. But that expansion has coincided with a worsening affordability problem: Nearly 1 in 5 households have fallen behind on their utility bills.
Here's what to know
With Newsom's second term set to end in January, California's climate record shows both progress and shortcomings, according to Canary Media. During his time in office, the state expanded clean energy capacity, added millions of EVs, committed to ending sales of new gas vehicles by 2035, and kept working toward a 2045 goal of renewable, carbon-free electricity.
Compared with the start of Newsom's tenure, California has much more utility-scale solar, far more battery capacity, and many more electric vehicles on the road. The state's economy also continued to grow during that period.
But electricity became less affordable. Canary Media reported that Newsom's successor will face tough choices on rates and utility policy while many Californians are already struggling financially.
"I'm a hard grader — I'd give him a B," said Dan Kammen, a longtime University of California, Berkeley, professor who is now Johns Hopkins University's Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Energy and Climate Justice.
More background
The tension at the heart of California's energy transition is that the state has moved faster than most in cutting pollution, but many residents have been paying more for electricity. That dynamic may make the clean energy transition harder to sustain politically and financially, especially for low-income households.
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Canary Media reported that Newsom was criticized over environmental justice, with opponents arguing he had pulled back from early promises. Those critics linked that shift to what they saw as his reluctance to challenge major oil, gas, and utility interests even as household energy bills and company profits rose.
Falling behind on utility bills can force families to choose between keeping the lights on and paying for groceries, medicine, or rent. When clean energy policies aren't paired with affordability, progress toward a healthier future can feel out of reach for the very communities that need relief from pollution and rising costs most.
At the same time, the state's growing fleet of solar and battery projects shows what a lower-pollution grid can look like.
What's being done?
The next test for California is whether it can cut emissions and electricity costs. According to Canary Media, researchers said the state cannot complete its energy transition unless it addresses power prices.
Kammen highlighted one major achievement, saying California's "solar and energy storage and EV story is amazing."
Where can I learn more?
California's clean-energy boom has sparked fights over who saves money and who gets stuck with the bill. These stories examine how rooftop solar rules, net metering, and utility-scale batteries are shaping the state's transition.
• In one city, rooftop solar brings relief as low-income households face punishing power bills.
• California moved closer to plug-in solar without permits, a cheap option for renters and homeowners.
• In San Diego, Peregrine Energy erected one of the biggest battery systems in the region.
Building more clean power won't be enough on its own. California also has to make sure the benefits reach enough households to lower bills and keep public support for the transition strong.
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