Despite climate goals, California will let three gas plants keep running

At least they're not running all the time, but the state shouldn't use all these excuses, when it could do other things to expand supply.

Gas plants are typically selected to supplement renewable energy. They are not just kept running, like in this case. To allow the transition to renewables, they are even newly build. Gas plants can quickly be turned up and down, faster than any other fossil power plant, so they are perfect as cold reserve for emergency situations. It also allows local balance depending on grid, population and industry distribution compared to landscape and weather.

Gas plants are (unfortunately) part of the many steps towards renewable and independent energy.