Bill Overview
Title: Grid Resilience Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Energy, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Electric Reliability Organization to jointly study the feasibility of establishing or modifying a reliability standard (i.e., a requirement to provide for reliable operation of the electric grid) for thermoelectric power plants during droughts.
Sponsors: Rep. McNerney, Jerry [D-CA-9]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals relying on thermoelectric power plants for electricity
Estimated Size: 331000000
- Thermoelectric power plants are a significant source of electricity globally, accounting for a substantial portion of electricity generation.
- The reliable operation of the electric grid is essential for continuous power supply, which affects households, businesses, and essential services.
- Droughts are a global issue that increasingly threaten water resources needed for cooling thermoelectric power plants.
- The bill addresses potential disruptions to power plants' operations due to water scarcity during droughts, which can lead to power outages.
- Power outages can impact everyone but especially vulnerable communities dependent on continuous electric supply for healthcare, food storage, and other basic needs.
Reasoning
- The Grid Resilience Act primarily benefits areas vulnerable to drought, which are largely in the Southwest and Western U.S.
- While the policy targets the stability of the electric grid, its direct impact might be more significant for industries dependent on continuous power supply.
- Households with vulnerable individuals such as those needing medical equipment for life support could see enhanced reliability and peace of mind.
- Considering that 63% of U.S. electricity comes from thermoelectric power plants, a diverse range of individuals are indirectly affected by improved grid reliability but not all will perceive a significant difference.
- The policy budget is relatively modest compared to the number of people relying on this energy source, indicating most impacts will be indirect and long-term.
- Individuals in agriculture and heavy industries may see enhanced stability and productivity in the longer run, thus potentially improving economic wellbeing and quality of life.
- People in regions less affected by drought, or those who use alternate power sources like solar or wind, will experience negligible effects from this policy.
- Business owners with large refrigeration or temperature control needs (e.g., warehouses, restaurants) are among those likely to initially perceive a tangible benefit.
- The policy’s impact grows with climate changes that exacerbate drought frequency, making initial years relatively low-impact while decades-out welfare might improve more substantially.
- Remote workers, especially in tech-heavy sectors, will understand the value of preventing outages but might notice little change currently since outages thus far are infrequent.
Simulated Interviews
Hospital Nurse (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy gives me confidence that during peak summer, we won't lose power when it is most needed.
- I hope outages can be reduced because last year was very stressful in peak heat periods.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Retired Electrician (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Climate change makes me worry about the grid's reliability; this act seems prudent.
- I believe the government should invest in these infrastructural supports.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Software Developer (Denver, CO)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As someone who works from home, power stability is always a plus.
- I think more investment in renewable energy is also crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Oil Refinery Worker (Houston, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reliable grid operations ensure job stability in the energy sector.
- Energy policies affect everyone indirectly, so it’s good for the government to be proactive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
School Teacher (Miami, FL)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While the policy is beneficial, I feel direct investments in solar could be even more impactful.
- This adds peace of mind during hurricane power issues, indirectly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Farmer (Albuquerque, NM)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Water scarcity is a constant issue; grid reliability during droughts matters to keep operations stable.
- It might indirectly help since electricity stability can aid watering systems.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Restaurant Owner (Sacramento, CA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Stable electricity helps my business run smoothly, avoiding losses from outages.
- I hope this policy can enhance grid security during drought-related heatwaves.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Casino Worker (Las Vegas, NV)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The consistent power supply is crucial in my line of work.
- Grid improvements are necessary, especially with the frequent heat issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Agriculture Research Scientist (Rural Kansas)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While the policy won’t impact my well-being much, it’s positive for research consistency.
- Continued power availability is crucial for lab work; seems like a future-prepared move.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
IT Consultant (New York City, NY)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Backup generators make this policy less directly impactful, but reliable grid is always beneficial.
- Urban areas like NYC seem less affected by such drought issues, but overall good for the grid's reliability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $70000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $90000000)
Year 2: $80000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $100000000)
Year 3: $85000000 (Low: $65000000, High: $105000000)
Year 5: $90000000 (Low: $70000000, High: $110000000)
Year 10: $100000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $120000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The reliability standard must comprehensively account for regional variations in drought intensity and water resource availability.
- Coordination between federal and state entities is critical to the successful implementation of any new grid reliability standards.
- Preparing for potential logistical challenges in studying and simulating the impacts on diverse energy grid frameworks across the U.S.
- Engaging with a wide array of stakeholders including power plant operators, state energy departments, and consumer safety groups to design feasible standards.