Why Go Solar?

Return to Overview

In 2013, California permanently shut down the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), which once provided over 2,200 megawatts of clean electricity — enough to power 1.4 million homes. Its closure removed one of the state’s largest sources of local, zero-carbon energy.

To fill the gap, California has had to rely more heavily on electricity imported from neighboring states and on natural gas-fired plants. Imported energy is not only more expensive to transport, but also often comes from older, less efficient, and more polluting sources. As a result, electricity prices for Southern California residents have surged since San Onofre’s shutdown.

In fact, wholesale prices jumped by 59% in the first half of 2013 compared to the year before, and the trend has only continued upward due to higher infrastructure demands and increased grid congestion.

Sources:

• https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=8770

• https://large.stanford.edu/courses/2018/ph241/cohn1/

• https://laist.com/news/kpcc-archive/california-power-prices-up-59-percent-after-san-on

Tags:

san onofre nuclear shutdown, electricity prices california, california energy crisis, so cal edison rates, imported electricity california, rising electricity costs