In a recent interview with Elex Michaelson on “The Issue Is” (Fox 11 News, Los Angeles), Antonio Villaraigosa, former Mayor of Los Angeles and candidate for California governor, highlighted the importance of pragmatic energy policies that balance ambitious goals with practical implementation.
Villaraigosa criticized the state’s tendency to set lofty targets for renewable energy while failing to build the necessary infrastructure to achieve them. He pointed out that states like Texas and Florida are outperforming California in drawing federal funds for renewable energy projects under the Inflation Reduction Act.
Villaraigosa attributed this to California’s overemphasis on ideological purity at the expense of action, arguing that the state is letting “the perfect get in the way of the good.” He emphasized the urgent need to construct transmission lines and expand battery storage to support the state’s transition to 100% renewables.
Villaraigosa also addressed the role of natural gas as a transitional energy source, challenging critics who dismiss it entirely. He underscored that while he supports the state’s 2035 goal to end the sale of gas-powered vehicles, achieving such milestones requires realistic planning and infrastructure development, which he argued is currently lacking.
Excerpts From the Interview:
Question: “What do you think is the biggest difference between you, Antonio Villaraigosa, as governor potentially going forward and the current governor?”
Answer: “You know, look, I'm not running against the current governor. I'll tell you what's the difference between me and the other candidates very clearly. You know, I made it clear when I see some in the legislature talk about closing down refineries and making it almost impossible to operate refineries, which, by the way, produce the cleanest fuels in the United States of America, lay off thousands of union workers. You know, are we going to just push more of those people to Trump?
You know, at the end of the day, why aren't we building transmission in this state? Why is it that last year? Texas passed up California on solar and wind. Why is it that Florida and Texas are drawing down more money from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act than California? I'll tell you why. We spend too much time setting these goals that, while maybe attainable, we're not doing anything to make them happen. We let the perfect get in the way of the good.”
“We have people that say that natural gas shouldn't be a transition fuel. Well, we don't have the battery power right now. …So when I hear these people that just constantly, you know, take positions which are ideological and rigid and not willing to drive down a lane where we’re moving forward, just on ideology. I'm not for that, and I think that's what distinguishes me from the other candidates and some other Democrats on … I think too many people are looking for perfect. And I'll tell you something. Most people are looking for results.”
Full Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYRnNLAM09Q&t=2s