The effects of California’s drought extend to the state’s energy sector. According to data from the Energy Information Administration , California has seen a significant drop in hydropower as its dams choke from lack of water. California now relies more heavily on natural gas and renewable energy—mainly wind and solar—than it did before the drought to produce electricity. Comparing the second quarter electricity production from 2010, before the drought, with this year’s second quarter, shows that the usage of natural gas and renewable energy has increased in that time. Meanwhile, California is generating less hydroelectricity due to the drought. Earlier this year, wind generation surpassed hydro generation in California for the first time ever. The state is also generating less electricity from nuclear energy, but that stems partly from closing nuclear plants there after reassessing their safety […]