Fire Chief Joel Mendoza of the North County Fire District said at this point, most of the fire had gone out. A water-based mitigation system did not work as designed, Vistra's senior director of community affairs Brad Watson said at the conference. Earlier in the day, a Monterey Sheriff official had said there were no active fire suppression efforts going on, "as the best approach, according to fire staff, is to allow the building and batteries to burn."

Yeah, I think massive chemical batteries for storing excess electricity to facilitate a contrived green energy market is a bad idea.

    • Lumisal@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      2 days ago

      I’m pretty sure cancers and other health issues have killed way, way more than hydroelectric.

      Not including the climate change thing…

      • CrimeDad@lemmy.crimedad.workOPEnglish
        1·
        1 day ago

        It’s complicated, but in terms of direct kills, hydro power takes the cake. If you’re also considering indirect kills, fossil fuel power is far and away the worst offender and I think that’s before you even account for climate change deaths: image

        • Lumisal@lemmy.worldEnglish
          1·
          1 day ago

          I agree it’s complicated, if you make it so.

          In terms of scale, direct kills are a rounding error compared to the damage of climate change.

          In terms of indirect kills, like accidents, coal still beats hydropower by a long shot if you include the actual history of coal and steam boats, in part simply from a lack of standards or care in safety (and that’s even if you exclude coal lung as an indirect kill).

          While you make perfect the enemy of good, the world will burn, just as those who own the fossil fuels desire.