Bill Overview
Title: Reinforcing the Grid Against Extreme Weather Act
Description: This bill requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue a rule to establish minimum transfer capabilities between transmission planning regions to help stabilize the electric grid.
Sponsors: Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]
Target Audience
Population: People reliant on electricity for their daily needs and safety during extreme weather
Estimated Size: 331000000
- Extreme weather events have been increasing due to climate change, affecting electricity grids globally.
- Reinforcing the electricity grid to better resist extreme weather will impact everyone reliant on the grid for electricity.
- This includes individuals who rely on heating and cooling systems powered by electricity, which is essential during extreme weather.
- Businesses, industries, and essential services like hospitals will also be impacted as they rely on stable electricity for operations.
- The entire population of a country can potentially be impacted as electricity is a fundamental utility.
Reasoning
- The target population is every American reliant on electricity, but effects vary by local grid reliability and frequency of extreme weather events.
- The policy's impact is potentially greatest on those in regions already experiencing grid strain from climate change.
- Consideration must be given to how different regions in the US experience extreme weather and the preparedness of their current grids.
- Costs and benefits over 10 years will not impact some immediately, while others in vulnerable areas may see quicker results.
- The financial and operational stability of essential services may have a cascading effect on the general population's wellbeing.
Simulated Interviews
Teacher (Miami, FL)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned about the power outages we often face during hurricanes.
- Anything that can stabilize the grid will definitely help us feel more secure during these storms.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Financial Analyst (New York, NY)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The city is generally resilient, but any improvement in grid reliability is welcome.
- I think reducing blackouts is important for day-to-day life.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Nurse (Houston, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having power at the hospital during a disaster is literally life-saving.
- Reinforcing the grid could save lives and improve hospital readiness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 2 |
Software Developer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 27 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Frequent grid issues interrupt my work, so a stable grid would be a significant improvement.
- Climate change means these issues are just going to get worse without intervention.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Retired (Rural Indiana)
Age: 68 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Last winter was tough when power went out for days during a snowstorm.
- Knowing that the grid is stabilized would absolutely make me feel more secure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Student (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Living without AC during a heatwave is unbearable.
- A reinforced grid would be critical in making sure I have consistent power.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 2 |
Small Business Owner (Chicago, IL)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Every time the power goes out, I lose business.
- Improving grid reliability could help small businesses like mine.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Environmental Scientist (Portland, OR)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy seems crucial given the increasing severity of weather events due to climate change.
- Strengthening the grid should be a priority to prevent future crises.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Electrician (Denver, CO)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see the issues firsthand when it comes to our local grid's vulnerabilities.
- A policy aiming to build resilience is definitely needed and beneficial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Restaurant Manager (Memphis, TN)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our electricity bills soar in the summer, and any grid failures affect our business badly.
- A stable grid would help keep operational costs predictable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1500000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1800000000)
Year 2: $1500000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1800000000)
Year 3: $1600000000 (Low: $1300000000, High: $1900000000)
Year 5: $1600000000 (Low: $1300000000, High: $1900000000)
Year 10: $1700000000 (Low: $1400000000, High: $2000000000)
Year 100: $1700000000 (Low: $1400000000, High: $2000000000)
Key Considerations
- The policy requires significant initial infrastructure investment but could yield long-term benefits in grid stability.
- The positive impact on business efficiency and reduced consumer costs during outages should be considered.
- Potential technological advancements over time may alter future cost requirements or benefits.
- Federal coordination with state and local governments will be crucial for effective implementation.