They have their own generators for critical units. They test systems regularly, often on a weekly basis. In homes, too, the health threat seems small. Though the poor health of the elderly or the sick can be exacerbated by excess heat, the dangers seem small, provided the loss of air conditioning is not sustained for long periods. Quality of life will be affected but not, fortunately, life itself.
Financial health seems more at risk.
Yet the problem goes deeper than this, according to the Lusk Center. Gabriel says that infrastructure spending has fallen from about 20 percent of the state's gross domestic product in the 1960s to about 2 percent now. California's mess is political. The booming state that should have been investing most in infrastructure has been investing least. Worthy environmental goals have stood in the way of power generation.