Thank you Commander Smith (I hope that is an appropriate title) for the informative and reasoned essay. I often find it frustrating that so many leaders lack much, if any, STEM background.
“Bob” works just fine also! Being a civilian again after decades is a whole new world! You stop being called by rank or job title and get your name back! :)
One of your lines in your piece sums up years of my never ending effort to debate my usually quite intelligent friends on why it is impossible to ignore the laws of thermodynamics.
“Explaining this to California’s climate activists is like trying to teach calculus to kindergartners.”
Bob Smith is STEM competent, involved with the Iron Dome, and has worked with Congress on a variety of matters. We need to actively support to elect Bob Smith to finally have a smart, informed Congressional Representative; one who can think and lead versus only read. Have you ever seen Salud Carbajal not read from a prepared script at any Congressional hearing or any other speech? Not to be missed Carbajal’s most recent ignorant, if not stupid, statement on BBB made in DC as part of the divisive Congressional Hispanic Caucus: 7:28p PT. Salud’s statement starts off on National televised networks “this is a bunch of fucking bullshit” … . He spewed inaccuracies and lies to instill fear. Salud left no doubt that he had not read even the topics of his concerns in HR1-BBB. Lying is allowed as Freedom of Speech. Critical thinking constituents seek truths. We need Bob Smith to represent and to lead.
Yes, I also watched in disbelief while our Congressman made those statements on live television. People from across the country must really think little of us if we allow an imbecile like Carbajal to speak for us. He truly is NOT articulate and clearly struggles at public speaking.
Carbajal is just keeping the seat warm for Laura Capps, Monique Limon, Gregg Hart, wild card Megan Harmon or a Das Williams phoenix-like rise from the ashes.
The best the local Democrat machine has to put on the table, and keep turning the crank of continued local political failure.
Right you are JL. For years I thought Das was the heir apparent, but Capps has been salivating for sometime over the possibility of being coronated by party bosses for the CD 24 seat. But wait, look for Limon eventually replacing Salud by virtue of successfully playing the race card.
Both cut their teeth on the SBUSD failure machine. Neither should have been rewarded with higher office. Nothing screams failed Democrat party politics or the dark side of term limits louder than the default rise of both of these do-nothing, now entitled politicos.
First, you already have my vote. Second, you're right about Carbajal using fear over facts. Unfortunately, Boomer Californians fall for this fear crapola because it's what they understood in 1970 and they don't understand anything about how the world works now - this doesn't just apply to energy, but race and international relations. So when Carbajal sticks it to The Man (Trump) he has their vote because that's 1970 all over again and they get it! The Man is bad and must be stopped! Logic? That won't win the next election. Fear will. I want you to win. I want these Destructo Dems gone. But I think you're going to have to fight fear with fear.
How do those of us who are of the ‘earn’ as compared to ‘deserve’ mentality break our local entitlement driven voter pattern? In 2026, Carbajal will be promoting 1) immigration fears (you’ve brown skin so ICE may kidnap you regardless of your citizenship status); 2) loss of entitlement fears including to the undocumented friends or workers of citizens who want “good aliens” to be gifted same benefits as citizens including lical Section 8 housing; and 3) affordability (“others are greedy, selfish, don’t care about you, but I do” — you deserve better, Medicare-for-all, higher wages, cheaper housing, lower taxes — Let the rich pay! .) His every term, Salud has been voted in top 20 socialists in Congress which reflects the political position of the majority of voters re-electing him. We watch it play out, with socialists gaining ground at each SB City Council meeting. Our local chapters of SB Democrat Socialists of America and SB indivisible are growing, and well-funded. SB Indivisible has over 6000 members. Are non-DEMs organized locally? Nope.
I call it the “Mamdani effect.” Young voters see their prospects of good paying jobs and owning a home as a thing of the past. They are becoming more depressed and hopeless about the future. The way they see it, “live now, pay later,” all while their student loans continue to mount.
How do I know? I have 2 twenty year olds who have left California, never to return, while looking for better opportunities.
I spoke with Candidate Smith about dialogue with our youth, specifically about jobs, housing and family prospects. The young voters at UCSB will decide our next election, NOT readers from SB Current. Engagement with the Young Republicans and Young Conservatives is essential.
Also, what is needed in order to speak to the counterculture, is a SB collation of business, property owners, clergy, moderate and center right voters to come together and form a platform for commonsense in order to get sane, normal people to run for local office.
It’s time LT to message loudly to disciplined, determined youth voters that politics determines in large part their future; and to old voters who want “good, working aliens” to remain here, that they are destroying the futures of their kids & grands, and our country! 12M of our brightest STEM grads are NOT working in STEM fields. Why? Because the Donor Class demands cheap labor and gets H1B Visas, plus the OPT Program subsidizes employers to hire foreigners. Smart youth have grounds to be angry. End H1B Visas; and end employer ability to adjust status (extend Visa expirations). When Visa term expires, any holder MUST leave our country.
Questions remain:
How many locals want America for Americans? Are more locals willing to do their own chores; parent their own legacies? How many locals care about the futures of our youth, specifically those who want to earn, own, contribute, create new family units but are blocked by political gatekeepers?
The Immigration Accountability Project (IAProject.org) is a good source on info. Salud ranked “F” for his voting record.
We need to galvanize 6000, plus one voters. Democrats are going nowhere other than more machine politics. We need to concentrate on the Independents or let Elon Musk upset the local apple cart with their 6000, plus one. Old ways of doing things will need shaking up.
Not sure losing Calif to Elon Musk would be a bad thing, but losing federal offices to a spoiler third party would be bad. It is still a long way to go, but Democrat machine discipline is too self- serving to even think about breaking it up.
We very much need a new message and mutual buy in from the growing numbers of independents.
Exactly the type of discussions we need. Well done, well presented. Noting hidden, pulled no punches. Just a clear exposition of the issues that affect us all, as well as the future of this state.
Thank you US congressional candidate Bob Smth, running to replace Rep. Salud Carbajal. Time to be retired, Mr Carbajal and not be replaced by anyone from our failed local Democrat machine.
Great piece! Having worked on the response to the disaster at Fukushima Daichi, I know that it only takes one bad day. There is so much challenge in nuclear generated electricity and Diablo being built on a fault, is extremely at odds w sound engineering. Especially when in a failure scenario, it would almost literally cut the State in Half. It could destroy the CA Economy and potentially seriously harm the Nation in process. Expensive. I am looking forward to removing all of the old boiling water reactors. The glassafication process from neutron bombardment places them under threat of cooling system failure in an EQ scenario. We have much better systems available now. Problem will be Reg Control and long lead times in development. Ca being hoisted on it's own petard, once again. If the people in the Five Cities Region knew that medical markers for nuclear radiation exposure existed there..... The Radiation Alert Network managed to catch at least one event that I know of. It lasted for approximately ten hours. There might have been more. I do not know for sure though. No one factors in true expense of these systems. Hope we do better as we redevelop our energy infrastructure. Do not even get me started on that ridiculous offshore wind system being forced in at Morro Bay. We really as a State, need to stop repeating past poor choices and decisions while expecting better results. Cousteau really said it in his commentary on Politicians. They follow culture. They generally are not leaders but would like to convince their constituency that they are qualified to do so. Most are not.
As California goes, so goes the rest of the nation? Let’s hope not! Like ANYTHING the liberal left gets their hands on, it usually results in failure. Don’t believe it? Why has it then taken billions to fund a train to nowhere without any tracks being laid?
Yes, the current energy capacity of California is overwhelmingly from natural gas and future needs will struggle to get to the mega watts needed to power AI and the needs of our state from renewables.
Why is it China is not relying on wind or solar, but yet manufacturers and exports this technology?
The undeniable facts are that the one party state is incapable of meeting the energy needs of state due to the radical environmentalists who runs our state. The reality is our local Democratic politicians answer to groups like the Environmental Defense Council, Surf Rider or the Sierra Club, NOT California voters or based on the future energy needs of our state.
It is appalling that Santa Barbara County is literally on top of an energy bonanza, but has the highest gas prices in the nation!
LT, this spring, wind and solar contributed 26% to China's electricity grid. They are doing more than just exporting the technology. But I do agree with you on the left's inability to build what their policy supports - like the high-speed train.
True on coal. Sorry if I mis misinterpreted your statement. Sounded like you were saying they were like a drug dealer selling renewables and not using them themselves....
What's more telling is that in 2000 grid electricity for China had a global warming potential of over 900 gCO₂/kWh. (If you believe in that climate hoax stuff). But in 2023, the carbon intensity dropped to 582 gCO₂/kWh. So about a 1/3 reduction. But that's just measuring per kWh. I'm sure their overall footprint is much larger than in 2000, just because they're using so much more energy now.
Thanks for the brookings report. Lots of interesting info in there.
Nearly everyone who has read Bob Smith's article and who subscribes to SB Current, you are already onboard. The uphill battle next year will be for all the folks who are not totally hitched to the Democratic wagon. That requires MONEY. To those of you blessed with financial means, Bob Smith's candidacy requires a considerable war chest. Here is a viable candidate. Imagine Representative Smith serving on Environmental, Defense, and Veterans Affairs committees. Please, those of you with the financial resources, now is when it's vital to pump money into the 2026 campaign.
I enjoyed your piece. You left out a huge difference between the US and Europe when it comes to nuclear energy.
As an attendee of Waste Management Symposia for the past 23 years, I have et and talked with hundreds of industry experts. For those unfamiliar, WMS is the place people gather to discuss containment and storage of nuclear waste.
When Carter was president, he nixed the program that would’ve provided recycling and rep processing of nuclear waste. In Europe, they’re able to recycle up to 98% of hot material and reuse it. Thus, they don’t have the Storage issues we do.
We put our high waste in containment vessels and bury them. That technology has gotten better, but still far from Safe.
I was talking to a group of physicist in 2023 and asked him how long our current containment protocols effectively protect us from potential leaks. His answer was, 750 years.
750 years isn’t even close to the half-life of nuclear waste? Thus, our current strategies, leave the nation with ticking time bombs below surface.
Yes, nuclear power has become quite safe, and if we recycled our spent rods, so would containment. But that is not the case and a good reason we should use caution.
Gene. I concur. 750 years gives us ample time to provide engineering solutions with better tech. You know what helps get to that tech? Properly powered AI. Let's establish an AI National Lab at UCSB for research. Perhaps California should return to being a leader in innovation, rather than trying to kill all innovation. That's my position.
You have to ask your congressman, who brings nothing home to this district. But in 2026 you have a chance to have a congressman with a vote that matters that will be bringing home AI, Energy, Defense, and Biotech funding to this district and our Universities...
I don't have any rings to kiss, don't care about building a career in politics, and I'm 100% focused on making our district and state better. You could get onboard with change, and someone intelligent enough to understand our energy grid failures and their impact on our tech industry. Put me in, coach...
I’m not as much a gambler as some. We already have tons of waste in inadequate containment vessels and no real solutions, including no ability for recycling. Just sayin, it’s a big gamble.
A bigger gamble is not meeting the 90 gigawatts of power needed for AI by 2030. If we fall behind in the race to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), we will lose the next "Manhattan Project." Unfortunately, "catching up" is not an option, as the AGI will constantly improve itself, potentially setting everyone else back before they had a chance. I realize that's a scary prospect for most to consider racing to AGI, but it's going to happen, and I'd prefer the U.S. sets the rules at the top of the food chain rather than China.
Once we get there, we will be able to solve problems that humans can't quickly - medical, defense, unmanned systems, new materials, and yes... what to do with waste.
CA is about to load-shed tech companies to other states that want to meet power demands. My company has multiple locations, two here in CA. Our AI servers are in FL where electricity is on average half the cost.
I am off topic again, but the title did say something about logic and I’ve come up with some logic. Apparently it seems there’s some quid pro quo going on between two-week taco and Netanyahu. It’s right there in front of you.
They got together and one of them said, if I bomb Iran for you, will you write a nomination letter for me to the Nobel peace prize Committee,or vice versa, Netanyahu is Israel’s version of two-week taco so I can see them striking up a deal that will benefit both sides.
Another one is, at his last cabinet, meeting a reporter Had the audacity to ask ask about Jeffrey Epstein client list. This annoyed too-week taco, and he asked the reporter “are we still talking about Epstein”? He said something like that’s old news, but yet he can’t seem to let go of the stolen election. He brings it up every chance he gets. He then said something like we’ve got Texas and other stuff to deal with and you’re talking about Epstein. In the last month or so, we’ve had all that going on, floods, tornadoes, the murders and shootings in Minnesota and Idaho, in other places, but I have not heard him mention any of it, offering condolences to families and the state they might represent or work for. You have not seen him at the sites of destruction and tragedies. In the past month or so and I have not heard him say one word about any of it. Say what you want about Biden, but he was a caring president. You always saw him at the sites comforting people.
Well now it seems there are no files or client list for Jeffrey Epstein, even though we heard the Attorney General say it was sitting on her desk waiting for a review so now they’re spinning their wheels trying to cover that up. So you can bet two-week taco was on the list.
He said the United States is hot right now, but it is it’s like a hot potato. Nobody wants to touch it or have anything to do with it. He’s keeps saying America first, America first and he may be working on America first, but he is also leaving the United States of America out by itself. What is that saying “No man is an island”, he has made the United States of America an island.
I know I owe some of you a response, but I’ve just been really really busy, and life throws things at you along the way, but I haven’t forgotten, I will get back to you. I hadn’t realized I’ve missed about 27 or 28, SB Currents that I haven’t even read so if I find something interesting eventually I will respond. Don’t worry I’m here to annoy all. ✌🏼
Thank you Julia. They constantly call out people for being "off topic" from the article on here, but they fail to write articles on relevant iminent issues that the entire world is talking about. Everyone is outraged about the "no client list" "finding", including the majority of MAGA! The clip of Trump's outburst, “are we still talking about Epstein?" proves he is totally controlled. Yet for some reason this page doesn't seem to care. Instead there was some fluff piece yesterday and today an article complaining about those who have safety concerned about a nuclear power plant.
You are also correct about Trump's bombing Iran and the absurd Nobel peace prize nomination. Another move that seemed not to bother anyone on here.
The GOP needs to take over California, and I’ve got just the ticket for a bold new move - move the State Capital to Monterey's Fort Ord ! Monterey was originally the first capital of California.
Imagine a vibrant, new state capital located on the stunning Monterey Bay. The Fort Ord property, with its hundreds of acres of prime land offers an unparalleled opportunity for a transformative relocation. Here’s why this would be a Trumpian-type move for Steve Hilton, our new Republican governor (I hope):
1. Centralized Efficiency: Unlike Sacramento, with its government offices scattered all over the area, a centralized, modern government complex at Fort Ord would enhance collaboration, streamline operations, and reduce costs.
2. World-Class Amenities: Surrounded by a rich mix of hotels, restaurants, and state-of-the-art conference facilities, the new ‘Fort California’ capital would provide a dynamic, welcoming hub for both government operations and business engagement. With its modern infrastructure, the new complex could host major events, diplomatic gatherings and high-level summits, offering unmatched convenience for visiting delegations and officials. Not just a new state capital—it’s a new platform for progress!
3. 3. Natural Beauty and Inspiration: Monterey Bay's breathtaking scenery and pristine coastline would make the new capital not only functional, but a new, shining star. The picturesque setting will inspire pride in governance and attract the kind of talent that wants to work and live in such an idyllic environment.
4. 4. Unmatched Climate: The mild, temperate weather of the Monterey Peninsula is far superior to Sacramento's scorching summers and dreary winters, offering year-round comfort for residents, visitors, and workers.
5. 5. Enhanced Accessibility: Located near major highways and regional airports, Monterey is easy to reach from all corners of the state. The move would centralize the state's power structure, sending a clear message of accessibility to all Californians.
6. 6. A Fresh Start for a Republican Administration: Relocating the capital would signal a bold and visionary shift uniting the new administration’s commitment to innovation and practicality. A modern, beautifully designed complex would reflect the values of class, style and GOP accountability.
7. Let’s get rid of the Commie-Dems in our beautiful state and show the world what first-class thinking is all about. Vote for Steve Hilton for Governor and make Fort California the future of power . . . here today!
Bob Smith, I encourage you to submit this article to the local print/online media. Here in Santa Barbara, that would be The Independent, Noozhawk, Montecito Journal. Same for Ventura and SLO counties. I have previously heard you speak, and now this article which is as compelling.
Here it goes again. Commander Smith pen's a knowledge based item while the State of Calif. spins off on questionable energy quest ala Don Quixote.
It is like deciding to heck with the voters who approved rational forest fire management and where was the action? 80,000+ acres in Slo, gone. How about more wind power that requires gallons of gear oil. Placement that is questionable like in the middle of ocean migratory routes.
It would appear the opposition is championing driving on the Left side of the road when the law and custom say drive on the right.
Is it rational planning to take your wind farm waste and ship it off to Wyoming because there are hundreds of miles where no one lives and will pollute their State?
Environmental activists have destroyed Downtown Santa Barbara street grid for failed Vision Zero (city's own stats) and are of the same linage of Stack'm & Pack'm urban planning that will require more energy.
Where is the economic rational that states you cannot spend more than you take in? Do you want a representative who would pour Millions daily on a failed HS Rail project?
The Commander rose to the top (Colonel) and has the academic credits.
I read this article titled "We Don’t Have an Energy Crisis—We Have a Logic Crisis"
By Bob Smith, Commander, U.S. Navy (Retired)
I will post on this one since written by former Commander Bob Smith USN where
I spent alot of time on the SSBN 726, 727 and 728, the Ohio, Michigan and Florida
crawling all over the boats including aft down at the Nuclear Reactor.
As stated by Mr. Smith "California’s elected officials spent years actively working to
shut down nuclear energy. Only after that activism collided with grid instability and rising emissions did they backpedal, scrambling to extend the last clean baseload energy source to buy time for their fantasy of an all-renewable utopia."
If Nuclear works fine for our US Navy well then good to go for our regular power grid.
I am not glowing in the night, healthy and fine so there maybe something to this
Nuclear Stuff that CALI seems to want to DEEP-SIX.
Do the math: only 4% comes from solar and wind, 1% from hydro. For 12 of the last 16 years, Obama & Biden pushed low capacity, low energy, highly unreliable, intermittent solar and wind power. The EPA deconstructed nuclear. They knew what they were doing. Prepare for blackouts. Team Trump is working to reverse course aware the Dept of Energy allowed our reserves to dangerously drop from 24% to 14%. Isn’t it beyond time for US to focus on our country’s survival. Stop buying solar panels & batteries from China.
China is building 300+ new coal plants — a resource they have — to add to reportedly 3500 existing ones. Concurrently, we are building one nuclear clean energy plant in GA. We need to pump our oil! Energy is national security.
Hi Montecito93108 and others trying to divide this issue along political lines.
I'm a liberal and pro-nuclear power. I also have had solar panels for nine years now and haven't had a single electric bill since, nor have I bought a single tank of gas in that time since I recharge my EV (first a Leaf, now a Chevrolet Equinox) mostly at home.
I bring this up because your comment about renewable energy being "highly unreliable, (and) intermittent" is exactly the misinformation the fossil fuel industry would love you to believe. But it's not true and needn't be political. Hope this helps.
It is 100% true. I’m sorry but I have to correct you on this. Your solar panels are connected to the grid. The grid backed by imported natural gas is helping you manage the load over a 24 hour cycle. Unless you have a system with complex requirements and permitting with battery storage - almost every solar user does not have that.
The state will require thousands of battery cities to manage the load in renewables. And they are 100% intermittent by definition - the sun isn’t out at night, and the wind isn’t always blowing hard or at all. Additionally, you have no way to control weather, or natural disasters that can impact either of those factors.
The ONLY way to have stable, non intermittent base load power is burning fossils fuels or nuclear power.
Saying things like “this is fossil fuel industry propaganda” is literally the propaganda.
Note: I also had a 100% efficient solar system, 68 panels, and I’ve been in EVs for 4 cars now.
Ordinary name, extraordinary talent. May we all remember the name Bob Smith on Election Day 2026.
You've got to be kidding.
Thank you Commander Smith (I hope that is an appropriate title) for the informative and reasoned essay. I often find it frustrating that so many leaders lack much, if any, STEM background.
“Bob” works just fine also! Being a civilian again after decades is a whole new world! You stop being called by rank or job title and get your name back! :)
Thank you for this, Smith.
Well written.
One of your lines in your piece sums up years of my never ending effort to debate my usually quite intelligent friends on why it is impossible to ignore the laws of thermodynamics.
“Explaining this to California’s climate activists is like trying to teach calculus to kindergartners.”
Bob Smith is STEM competent, involved with the Iron Dome, and has worked with Congress on a variety of matters. We need to actively support to elect Bob Smith to finally have a smart, informed Congressional Representative; one who can think and lead versus only read. Have you ever seen Salud Carbajal not read from a prepared script at any Congressional hearing or any other speech? Not to be missed Carbajal’s most recent ignorant, if not stupid, statement on BBB made in DC as part of the divisive Congressional Hispanic Caucus: 7:28p PT. Salud’s statement starts off on National televised networks “this is a bunch of fucking bullshit” … . He spewed inaccuracies and lies to instill fear. Salud left no doubt that he had not read even the topics of his concerns in HR1-BBB. Lying is allowed as Freedom of Speech. Critical thinking constituents seek truths. We need Bob Smith to represent and to lead.
Yes, I also watched in disbelief while our Congressman made those statements on live television. People from across the country must really think little of us if we allow an imbecile like Carbajal to speak for us. He truly is NOT articulate and clearly struggles at public speaking.
This is the best we can do SB?
Carbajal is just keeping the seat warm for Laura Capps, Monique Limon, Gregg Hart, wild card Megan Harmon or a Das Williams phoenix-like rise from the ashes.
The best the local Democrat machine has to put on the table, and keep turning the crank of continued local political failure.
Right you are JL. For years I thought Das was the heir apparent, but Capps has been salivating for sometime over the possibility of being coronated by party bosses for the CD 24 seat. But wait, look for Limon eventually replacing Salud by virtue of successfully playing the race card.
Both cut their teeth on the SBUSD failure machine. Neither should have been rewarded with higher office. Nothing screams failed Democrat party politics or the dark side of term limits louder than the default rise of both of these do-nothing, now entitled politicos.
First, you already have my vote. Second, you're right about Carbajal using fear over facts. Unfortunately, Boomer Californians fall for this fear crapola because it's what they understood in 1970 and they don't understand anything about how the world works now - this doesn't just apply to energy, but race and international relations. So when Carbajal sticks it to The Man (Trump) he has their vote because that's 1970 all over again and they get it! The Man is bad and must be stopped! Logic? That won't win the next election. Fear will. I want you to win. I want these Destructo Dems gone. But I think you're going to have to fight fear with fear.
How do those of us who are of the ‘earn’ as compared to ‘deserve’ mentality break our local entitlement driven voter pattern? In 2026, Carbajal will be promoting 1) immigration fears (you’ve brown skin so ICE may kidnap you regardless of your citizenship status); 2) loss of entitlement fears including to the undocumented friends or workers of citizens who want “good aliens” to be gifted same benefits as citizens including lical Section 8 housing; and 3) affordability (“others are greedy, selfish, don’t care about you, but I do” — you deserve better, Medicare-for-all, higher wages, cheaper housing, lower taxes — Let the rich pay! .) His every term, Salud has been voted in top 20 socialists in Congress which reflects the political position of the majority of voters re-electing him. We watch it play out, with socialists gaining ground at each SB City Council meeting. Our local chapters of SB Democrat Socialists of America and SB indivisible are growing, and well-funded. SB Indivisible has over 6000 members. Are non-DEMs organized locally? Nope.
I call it the “Mamdani effect.” Young voters see their prospects of good paying jobs and owning a home as a thing of the past. They are becoming more depressed and hopeless about the future. The way they see it, “live now, pay later,” all while their student loans continue to mount.
How do I know? I have 2 twenty year olds who have left California, never to return, while looking for better opportunities.
I spoke with Candidate Smith about dialogue with our youth, specifically about jobs, housing and family prospects. The young voters at UCSB will decide our next election, NOT readers from SB Current. Engagement with the Young Republicans and Young Conservatives is essential.
Also, what is needed in order to speak to the counterculture, is a SB collation of business, property owners, clergy, moderate and center right voters to come together and form a platform for commonsense in order to get sane, normal people to run for local office.
It’s time LT to message loudly to disciplined, determined youth voters that politics determines in large part their future; and to old voters who want “good, working aliens” to remain here, that they are destroying the futures of their kids & grands, and our country! 12M of our brightest STEM grads are NOT working in STEM fields. Why? Because the Donor Class demands cheap labor and gets H1B Visas, plus the OPT Program subsidizes employers to hire foreigners. Smart youth have grounds to be angry. End H1B Visas; and end employer ability to adjust status (extend Visa expirations). When Visa term expires, any holder MUST leave our country.
Questions remain:
How many locals want America for Americans? Are more locals willing to do their own chores; parent their own legacies? How many locals care about the futures of our youth, specifically those who want to earn, own, contribute, create new family units but are blocked by political gatekeepers?
The Immigration Accountability Project (IAProject.org) is a good source on info. Salud ranked “F” for his voting record.
We need to galvanize 6000, plus one voters. Democrats are going nowhere other than more machine politics. We need to concentrate on the Independents or let Elon Musk upset the local apple cart with their 6000, plus one. Old ways of doing things will need shaking up.
Not sure losing Calif to Elon Musk would be a bad thing, but losing federal offices to a spoiler third party would be bad. It is still a long way to go, but Democrat machine discipline is too self- serving to even think about breaking it up.
We very much need a new message and mutual buy in from the growing numbers of independents.
Exactly the type of discussions we need. Well done, well presented. Noting hidden, pulled no punches. Just a clear exposition of the issues that affect us all, as well as the future of this state.
Thank you US congressional candidate Bob Smth, running to replace Rep. Salud Carbajal. Time to be retired, Mr Carbajal and not be replaced by anyone from our failed local Democrat machine.
Great piece! Having worked on the response to the disaster at Fukushima Daichi, I know that it only takes one bad day. There is so much challenge in nuclear generated electricity and Diablo being built on a fault, is extremely at odds w sound engineering. Especially when in a failure scenario, it would almost literally cut the State in Half. It could destroy the CA Economy and potentially seriously harm the Nation in process. Expensive. I am looking forward to removing all of the old boiling water reactors. The glassafication process from neutron bombardment places them under threat of cooling system failure in an EQ scenario. We have much better systems available now. Problem will be Reg Control and long lead times in development. Ca being hoisted on it's own petard, once again. If the people in the Five Cities Region knew that medical markers for nuclear radiation exposure existed there..... The Radiation Alert Network managed to catch at least one event that I know of. It lasted for approximately ten hours. There might have been more. I do not know for sure though. No one factors in true expense of these systems. Hope we do better as we redevelop our energy infrastructure. Do not even get me started on that ridiculous offshore wind system being forced in at Morro Bay. We really as a State, need to stop repeating past poor choices and decisions while expecting better results. Cousteau really said it in his commentary on Politicians. They follow culture. They generally are not leaders but would like to convince their constituency that they are qualified to do so. Most are not.
As California goes, so goes the rest of the nation? Let’s hope not! Like ANYTHING the liberal left gets their hands on, it usually results in failure. Don’t believe it? Why has it then taken billions to fund a train to nowhere without any tracks being laid?
Yes, the current energy capacity of California is overwhelmingly from natural gas and future needs will struggle to get to the mega watts needed to power AI and the needs of our state from renewables.
Why is it China is not relying on wind or solar, but yet manufacturers and exports this technology?
The undeniable facts are that the one party state is incapable of meeting the energy needs of state due to the radical environmentalists who runs our state. The reality is our local Democratic politicians answer to groups like the Environmental Defense Council, Surf Rider or the Sierra Club, NOT California voters or based on the future energy needs of our state.
It is appalling that Santa Barbara County is literally on top of an energy bonanza, but has the highest gas prices in the nation!
LT, this spring, wind and solar contributed 26% to China's electricity grid. They are doing more than just exporting the technology. But I do agree with you on the left's inability to build what their policy supports - like the high-speed train.
https://ember-energy.org/latest-updates/wind-and-solar-generate-over-a-quarter-of-chinas-electricity-for-the-first-month-on-record/
Overwhelmingly reliant on fossil fuels, especially coal.
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/how-do-china-and-america-think-about-the-energy-transition/
True on coal. Sorry if I mis misinterpreted your statement. Sounded like you were saying they were like a drug dealer selling renewables and not using them themselves....
What's more telling is that in 2000 grid electricity for China had a global warming potential of over 900 gCO₂/kWh. (If you believe in that climate hoax stuff). But in 2023, the carbon intensity dropped to 582 gCO₂/kWh. So about a 1/3 reduction. But that's just measuring per kWh. I'm sure their overall footprint is much larger than in 2000, just because they're using so much more energy now.
Thanks for the brookings report. Lots of interesting info in there.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1300419/power-generation-emission-intensity-china/
Amazingly . . .
Trump did not follow Brookings' recommendation to keep the IRA act.
Nearly everyone who has read Bob Smith's article and who subscribes to SB Current, you are already onboard. The uphill battle next year will be for all the folks who are not totally hitched to the Democratic wagon. That requires MONEY. To those of you blessed with financial means, Bob Smith's candidacy requires a considerable war chest. Here is a viable candidate. Imagine Representative Smith serving on Environmental, Defense, and Veterans Affairs committees. Please, those of you with the financial resources, now is when it's vital to pump money into the 2026 campaign.
I admire your nudginess, Celeste.
I enjoyed your piece. You left out a huge difference between the US and Europe when it comes to nuclear energy.
As an attendee of Waste Management Symposia for the past 23 years, I have et and talked with hundreds of industry experts. For those unfamiliar, WMS is the place people gather to discuss containment and storage of nuclear waste.
When Carter was president, he nixed the program that would’ve provided recycling and rep processing of nuclear waste. In Europe, they’re able to recycle up to 98% of hot material and reuse it. Thus, they don’t have the Storage issues we do.
We put our high waste in containment vessels and bury them. That technology has gotten better, but still far from Safe.
I was talking to a group of physicist in 2023 and asked him how long our current containment protocols effectively protect us from potential leaks. His answer was, 750 years.
750 years isn’t even close to the half-life of nuclear waste? Thus, our current strategies, leave the nation with ticking time bombs below surface.
Yes, nuclear power has become quite safe, and if we recycled our spent rods, so would containment. But that is not the case and a good reason we should use caution.
Gene. I concur. 750 years gives us ample time to provide engineering solutions with better tech. You know what helps get to that tech? Properly powered AI. Let's establish an AI National Lab at UCSB for research. Perhaps California should return to being a leader in innovation, rather than trying to kill all innovation. That's my position.
Then why support all the cuts in funding for grants for these projects?
You have to ask your congressman, who brings nothing home to this district. But in 2026 you have a chance to have a congressman with a vote that matters that will be bringing home AI, Energy, Defense, and Biotech funding to this district and our Universities...
I don't have any rings to kiss, don't care about building a career in politics, and I'm 100% focused on making our district and state better. You could get onboard with change, and someone intelligent enough to understand our energy grid failures and their impact on our tech industry. Put me in, coach...
I’m not as much a gambler as some. We already have tons of waste in inadequate containment vessels and no real solutions, including no ability for recycling. Just sayin, it’s a big gamble.
A bigger gamble is not meeting the 90 gigawatts of power needed for AI by 2030. If we fall behind in the race to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), we will lose the next "Manhattan Project." Unfortunately, "catching up" is not an option, as the AGI will constantly improve itself, potentially setting everyone else back before they had a chance. I realize that's a scary prospect for most to consider racing to AGI, but it's going to happen, and I'd prefer the U.S. sets the rules at the top of the food chain rather than China.
Once we get there, we will be able to solve problems that humans can't quickly - medical, defense, unmanned systems, new materials, and yes... what to do with waste.
CA is about to load-shed tech companies to other states that want to meet power demands. My company has multiple locations, two here in CA. Our AI servers are in FL where electricity is on average half the cost.
https://time.com/7294803/ai-revolution-energy-revolution/
I am off topic again, but the title did say something about logic and I’ve come up with some logic. Apparently it seems there’s some quid pro quo going on between two-week taco and Netanyahu. It’s right there in front of you.
They got together and one of them said, if I bomb Iran for you, will you write a nomination letter for me to the Nobel peace prize Committee,or vice versa, Netanyahu is Israel’s version of two-week taco so I can see them striking up a deal that will benefit both sides.
Another one is, at his last cabinet, meeting a reporter Had the audacity to ask ask about Jeffrey Epstein client list. This annoyed too-week taco, and he asked the reporter “are we still talking about Epstein”? He said something like that’s old news, but yet he can’t seem to let go of the stolen election. He brings it up every chance he gets. He then said something like we’ve got Texas and other stuff to deal with and you’re talking about Epstein. In the last month or so, we’ve had all that going on, floods, tornadoes, the murders and shootings in Minnesota and Idaho, in other places, but I have not heard him mention any of it, offering condolences to families and the state they might represent or work for. You have not seen him at the sites of destruction and tragedies. In the past month or so and I have not heard him say one word about any of it. Say what you want about Biden, but he was a caring president. You always saw him at the sites comforting people.
Well now it seems there are no files or client list for Jeffrey Epstein, even though we heard the Attorney General say it was sitting on her desk waiting for a review so now they’re spinning their wheels trying to cover that up. So you can bet two-week taco was on the list.
He said the United States is hot right now, but it is it’s like a hot potato. Nobody wants to touch it or have anything to do with it. He’s keeps saying America first, America first and he may be working on America first, but he is also leaving the United States of America out by itself. What is that saying “No man is an island”, he has made the United States of America an island.
I know I owe some of you a response, but I’ve just been really really busy, and life throws things at you along the way, but I haven’t forgotten, I will get back to you. I hadn’t realized I’ve missed about 27 or 28, SB Currents that I haven’t even read so if I find something interesting eventually I will respond. Don’t worry I’m here to annoy all. ✌🏼
Thank you Julia. They constantly call out people for being "off topic" from the article on here, but they fail to write articles on relevant iminent issues that the entire world is talking about. Everyone is outraged about the "no client list" "finding", including the majority of MAGA! The clip of Trump's outburst, “are we still talking about Epstein?" proves he is totally controlled. Yet for some reason this page doesn't seem to care. Instead there was some fluff piece yesterday and today an article complaining about those who have safety concerned about a nuclear power plant.
You are also correct about Trump's bombing Iran and the absurd Nobel peace prize nomination. Another move that seemed not to bother anyone on here.
And now cue the "please stay on topic" wardens.
The GOP needs to take over California, and I’ve got just the ticket for a bold new move - move the State Capital to Monterey's Fort Ord ! Monterey was originally the first capital of California.
Imagine a vibrant, new state capital located on the stunning Monterey Bay. The Fort Ord property, with its hundreds of acres of prime land offers an unparalleled opportunity for a transformative relocation. Here’s why this would be a Trumpian-type move for Steve Hilton, our new Republican governor (I hope):
1. Centralized Efficiency: Unlike Sacramento, with its government offices scattered all over the area, a centralized, modern government complex at Fort Ord would enhance collaboration, streamline operations, and reduce costs.
2. World-Class Amenities: Surrounded by a rich mix of hotels, restaurants, and state-of-the-art conference facilities, the new ‘Fort California’ capital would provide a dynamic, welcoming hub for both government operations and business engagement. With its modern infrastructure, the new complex could host major events, diplomatic gatherings and high-level summits, offering unmatched convenience for visiting delegations and officials. Not just a new state capital—it’s a new platform for progress!
3. 3. Natural Beauty and Inspiration: Monterey Bay's breathtaking scenery and pristine coastline would make the new capital not only functional, but a new, shining star. The picturesque setting will inspire pride in governance and attract the kind of talent that wants to work and live in such an idyllic environment.
4. 4. Unmatched Climate: The mild, temperate weather of the Monterey Peninsula is far superior to Sacramento's scorching summers and dreary winters, offering year-round comfort for residents, visitors, and workers.
5. 5. Enhanced Accessibility: Located near major highways and regional airports, Monterey is easy to reach from all corners of the state. The move would centralize the state's power structure, sending a clear message of accessibility to all Californians.
6. 6. A Fresh Start for a Republican Administration: Relocating the capital would signal a bold and visionary shift uniting the new administration’s commitment to innovation and practicality. A modern, beautifully designed complex would reflect the values of class, style and GOP accountability.
7. Let’s get rid of the Commie-Dems in our beautiful state and show the world what first-class thinking is all about. Vote for Steve Hilton for Governor and make Fort California the future of power . . . here today!
Bob Smith, I encourage you to submit this article to the local print/online media. Here in Santa Barbara, that would be The Independent, Noozhawk, Montecito Journal. Same for Ventura and SLO counties. I have previously heard you speak, and now this article which is as compelling.
Here it goes again. Commander Smith pen's a knowledge based item while the State of Calif. spins off on questionable energy quest ala Don Quixote.
It is like deciding to heck with the voters who approved rational forest fire management and where was the action? 80,000+ acres in Slo, gone. How about more wind power that requires gallons of gear oil. Placement that is questionable like in the middle of ocean migratory routes.
It would appear the opposition is championing driving on the Left side of the road when the law and custom say drive on the right.
Is it rational planning to take your wind farm waste and ship it off to Wyoming because there are hundreds of miles where no one lives and will pollute their State?
Environmental activists have destroyed Downtown Santa Barbara street grid for failed Vision Zero (city's own stats) and are of the same linage of Stack'm & Pack'm urban planning that will require more energy.
Where is the economic rational that states you cannot spend more than you take in? Do you want a representative who would pour Millions daily on a failed HS Rail project?
The Commander rose to the top (Colonel) and has the academic credits.
Things to think about when voting.
See you at the Mission Car Show this Saturday.
The only chance we have is to oust the Dems in the next election. Otherwise stupidity will continue to reign.
I read this article titled "We Don’t Have an Energy Crisis—We Have a Logic Crisis"
By Bob Smith, Commander, U.S. Navy (Retired)
I will post on this one since written by former Commander Bob Smith USN where
I spent alot of time on the SSBN 726, 727 and 728, the Ohio, Michigan and Florida
crawling all over the boats including aft down at the Nuclear Reactor.
As stated by Mr. Smith "California’s elected officials spent years actively working to
shut down nuclear energy. Only after that activism collided with grid instability and rising emissions did they backpedal, scrambling to extend the last clean baseload energy source to buy time for their fantasy of an all-renewable utopia."
If Nuclear works fine for our US Navy well then good to go for our regular power grid.
I am not glowing in the night, healthy and fine so there maybe something to this
Nuclear Stuff that CALI seems to want to DEEP-SIX.
Howard Walther, Member of a Military Family
Do the math: only 4% comes from solar and wind, 1% from hydro. For 12 of the last 16 years, Obama & Biden pushed low capacity, low energy, highly unreliable, intermittent solar and wind power. The EPA deconstructed nuclear. They knew what they were doing. Prepare for blackouts. Team Trump is working to reverse course aware the Dept of Energy allowed our reserves to dangerously drop from 24% to 14%. Isn’t it beyond time for US to focus on our country’s survival. Stop buying solar panels & batteries from China.
China is building 300+ new coal plants — a resource they have — to add to reportedly 3500 existing ones. Concurrently, we are building one nuclear clean energy plant in GA. We need to pump our oil! Energy is national security.
Hi Montecito93108 and others trying to divide this issue along political lines.
I'm a liberal and pro-nuclear power. I also have had solar panels for nine years now and haven't had a single electric bill since, nor have I bought a single tank of gas in that time since I recharge my EV (first a Leaf, now a Chevrolet Equinox) mostly at home.
I bring this up because your comment about renewable energy being "highly unreliable, (and) intermittent" is exactly the misinformation the fossil fuel industry would love you to believe. But it's not true and needn't be political. Hope this helps.
It is 100% true. I’m sorry but I have to correct you on this. Your solar panels are connected to the grid. The grid backed by imported natural gas is helping you manage the load over a 24 hour cycle. Unless you have a system with complex requirements and permitting with battery storage - almost every solar user does not have that.
The state will require thousands of battery cities to manage the load in renewables. And they are 100% intermittent by definition - the sun isn’t out at night, and the wind isn’t always blowing hard or at all. Additionally, you have no way to control weather, or natural disasters that can impact either of those factors.
The ONLY way to have stable, non intermittent base load power is burning fossils fuels or nuclear power.
Saying things like “this is fossil fuel industry propaganda” is literally the propaganda.
Note: I also had a 100% efficient solar system, 68 panels, and I’ve been in EVs for 4 cars now.