Milbank Global Project, Energy & Infrastructure Finance partner Allan Marks has published an article titled “Construction of Power Facilities Is ‘Essential’ in California” for POWER Magazine. In the article, Mr. Marks assesses how COVID-19 and California governor Gavin Newsom’s statewide directives and local “shelter-in-place” orders impact construction of power plants and other critical infrastructure in the state.
The article also discusses California’s March 22nd guidelines, which clarify the roles of essential critical infrastructure workers across all sectors. These essential workers “maintain, ensure, or restore the generation, transmission, and distribution of electric power.” Construction of new power plants, including wind farms and solar power installations, the article explains, is also an essential activity.
Mr. Marks notes: “With California’s early, expansive and exacting implementation of shelter-in-place protocols, and continuing and evolving guidance and coordination among agencies, California has set a useful template for other states balancing competing policy goals, such as maintaining the construction and operation of critical energy infrastructure, advancing environmental and economic goals, and protecting public health.
