Power Grid Is Vulnerable to Climate Change
A report released by the White House and the Energy Department stated that the power grid in the US is extremely vulnerable to the intense storms climate change is causing.
A report released by the White House and the Energy Department stated that the power grid in the US is extremely vulnerable to the intense storms climate change is causing.
The statement coincides with the 10th anniversary of the largest power outage in US history, which impacted 50 million people in the Midwest and Northeast.
In more recent times, power failures are largely due to severe weather and their economic repercussions over the last decade are estimated to be between 18 and 33 billion dollars a year.
The most at-risk part of the grid is said to include the power lines. While most electric utilities are public companies and subject to state regulations, the report did issue some recommendations including replacing all of the wooden poles with concrete and metal ones.
It also noted previous suggestions that power lines be buried but overall costs could be prohibitive, and construction impractical in coastal areas.
Placing power sensors along the lines that would help isolate the areas of damage is also believed to be a worthy measure.
The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates the cost of getting the grid up to par by 2020 is 673 billion dollars.
A report released by the White House and the Energy Department stated that the power grid in the US is extremely vulnerable to the intense storms climate change is causing.
The statement coincides with the 10th anniversary of the largest power outage in US history, which impacted 50 million people in the Midwest and Northeast.
In more recent times, power failures are largely due to severe weather and their economic repercussions over the last decade are estimated to be between 18 and 33 billion dollars a year.
The most at-risk part of the grid is said to include the power lines. While most electric utilities are public companies and subject to state regulations, the report did issue some recommendations including replacing all of the wooden poles with concrete and metal ones.
It also noted previous suggestions that power lines be buried but overall costs could be prohibitive, and construction impractical in coastal areas.
Placing power sensors along the lines that would help isolate the areas of damage is also believed to be a worthy measure.
The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates the cost of getting the grid up to par by 2020 is 673 billion dollars.
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