By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

California Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) blamed fellow lawmakers and utility authorities for the high cost of — and unreliable access to — energy across the state.

Bradford, who chairs the Senate’s energy and utilities committee, addressed a group of state energy leaders about the state’s worsening energy-related challenges.

“We find ourselves here today with these challenges because our legislation has been more aspirational than practical,” said Bradford.

“Consumers are feeling this, and we need to be more practical in what we’re trying to do,” he said.

Bradford expressed his frustrations during an oversight hearing on the State’s electric grid. State leaders have started paying attention to power bills that address current and emerging energy issues.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed plans to lower energy prices before August 31, the state deadline for legislators to submit bills for the governor’s approval.

California law states that by 2045 electricity must come from renewable and zero-carbon sources. In efforts to achieve this goal, the plan requires the state to reach the 90 percent mark before 2036.

Newsom’s administration announced that state agencies and utilities received a $600 million federal grant to upgrade electric transmission. However, Sen. Bradford said that state officials were attempting to achieve energy goals with their hands tied behind their backs due to policies passed by lawmakers.

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State officials attributed the energy problems to uncertain weather events, shrinking budgets, and high prices causing people to leave the state.

Sen. Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta) said California is facing a “curvy road with a bunch of potholes in it,” supporting Bradford’s concerns.

“The faster we go through those curves, the more chances we are going to run off the road,” said Seyarto.

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