Bill Overview
Title: GRID Act of 2022
Description: This bill establishes a program to improve the resiliency of the electric grid and critical electric grid equipment (e.g., large transformers and power conversion equipment) to physical attacks, cyberattacks, severe weather, and other harms. In carrying out the program, the Department of Energy may establish federally owned strategic reserves of critical electric grid equipment.
Sponsors: Rep. Lamb, Conor [D-PA-17]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals worldwide who depend on resilient electricity supplies
Estimated Size: 331000000
- The electric grid is essential for delivering electricity to residential, commercial, and industrial users, making it a crucial component of modern civilization.
- Failures or attacks on the electric grid can lead to widespread power outages, affecting everyday life, economic productivity, and even emergency services.
- In 2022, the global population is approximately 7.8 billion, with a substantial portion living in urban areas highly dependent on consistent, reliable access to electricity.
- The program aims to protect critical electric grid equipment, which plays a vital role in ensuring the reliability and stability of the electricity supply worldwide.
Reasoning
- The GRID Act is likely to affect a wide range of people across the United States due to the universal reliance on electricity.
- People in regions prone to severe weather might experience a more direct impact due to increased grid reliability.
- Those in industrial sectors might benefit from fewer disruptions.
- Individuals in areas recently affected by cyber or physical attacks on grid infrastructure may feel more secure.
- Considering the budget limits, the immediate impact might be more noticeable in highly vulnerable regions.
Simulated Interviews
Data Analyst (Houston, Texas)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I really worry about losing power during hurricanes.
- With remote work, a stable electricity supply is crucial for my job.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Manufacturing Plant Manager (Detroit, Michigan)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Frequent power interruptions are a huge challenge for our operation and affect our productivity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Healthcare Worker (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Power disruptions can be life-threatening in healthcare settings.
- Having a more resilient grid could save lives during emergencies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Retired (Miami, Florida)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Power outages make it hard to maintain comfort, especially during the summer heats.
- Better grid protection could improve my quality of life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Software Engineer (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We are not significantly affected by grid issues here.
- Any improvement in grid resilience is welcome but not urgent for us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Small Business Owner (New York City, New York)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Power stability is critical for keeping food fresh and the business running smoothly.
- Any measures to improve grid resilience are definitely needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Farmer (Bismarck, North Dakota)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Electricity is vital for my farm’s operations, especially during the planting and harvest seasons.
- Better grid protection would definitely reduce risks associated with unexpected outages.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Real Estate Agent (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reliable electricity is key to surviving the hot summers in Phoenix.
- I welcome any improvements to the grid's resilience.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
High School Teacher (Raleigh, North Carolina)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Power outages disrupt not just my home, but also the local school where I work.
- I'd be relieved if outages became less frequent.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
University Student (Portland, Oregon)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's reassuring to see investments in our energy infrastructure.
- This seems like a step in the right direction for sustainable energy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1000000000 (Low: $800000000, High: $1200000000)
Year 2: $1200000000 (Low: $1000000000, High: $1400000000)
Year 3: $1400000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1600000000)
Year 5: $1500000000 (Low: $1300000000, High: $1700000000)
Year 10: $1600000000 (Low: $1400000000, High: $1800000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The policy provides national security benefits by protecting critical infrastructure.
- Long-term cost savings may outweigh initial high expenditures.
- Potential technological advancements may improve the grid beyond current capabilities.