Gov. Gavin Newsom sent the internet into a frenzy after announcing a multi-million dollar solar power plan – as he continues to be involved in multi-billion dollar government projects.
Newsom’s office announced that a new green project is receiving $20 million in federal funding to cover canals with solar panels in an effort to conserve water while generating electricity.
“While the Trump Administration is dismantling clean energy in favor of fossil fuels, California is opening a pilot project for the nation’s first solar-covered canal,” he wrote in X. “We are investing in new technologies to find more solutions to reduce costs, save water, and prepare for a hot and dry future.”
A flood of commenters seized on the announcement, citing Newsom’s excessive spending on government projects.
Will it cost $251 billion but not be rebuilt? The US Oil & Gas Association wrote in X, referring to the high-speed rail project.
“Can’t wait for my great grandchildren to attend the grand opening,” wrote another.
“Let me guess, it’s already over budget by $600mil?” the third laughed.
“For twenty million dollars?
Do you know who can use that water? wrote one critic, referring to California’s wildfire problems.
Newsom described the solar project as an “innovative” and “outside the box” solution to climate change.
“We are committed to investing in clean energy and developing cutting-edge technologies to address climate and water challenges. California is showing the world what can happen when innovation meets action,” he said.
The canal system, called Project Nexus, aims to measure how much energy the solar panels produce, how much water they can save, water quality, and if covering canals reduces maintenance costs.
The California Post has contacted Newsom’s office for comment.
