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We Need to Change Our Assumptions About Gas Plant Reliability

Union of Concerned Scientists

In extreme weather, when electricity demand is at its highest and the grid needs gas plants the most, gas plants have been failing at alarming rates. Gas plants failed at a scale that jeopardized grid reliability for large regions of the United States during severe winter storms in 2011 , 2014 , 2018 , 2021 , and 2022.

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How Transmission—Not Gas—Will Bolster Winter Grid Reliability: A Look at MISO South

Union of Concerned Scientists

This new generating capacity, coupled with more transmission capacity, will enable us to share far more electricity between regions during extreme weather events. Note: Grid operators implement rolling blackouts, or firm load shedding, when electricity demand exceeds available supply. Although much shorter than the 4.5

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Steelton-Highspire School District, Tröegs Independent Brewing Show Benefits Of Going Solar, Driving Electric Busses In Dauphin County

PA Environment Daily

On March 14, a tour of Steelton-Highspire School District facilities and Tregs Independent Brewing in Dauphin County shows the benefits of going solar and electric school buses. These events were held to educate local residents about the benefits of solar energy and electric vehicles. Local officials and residents, including Sen.

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5 Powerful Facts for Global Wind Day

Union of Concerned Scientists

The ones that’ll soon be gracing areas over the horizon are powerful enough, each one, to generate the equivalent of an average home’s daily electricity use in just a few seconds. Even more important, though, wind is an impressive piece of our electricity supply. Wind is now the largest source of renewable energy in the country.

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Wildfires and Power Grid Failures Continue to Fuel Each Other

Union of Concerned Scientists

Both fossil fuel and utility companies bear some responsibility for wildfires’ damage, and must be held accountable to ensure disadvantaged and low-income communities aren’t left to shoulder the costs and impacts of these disasters. But first, it’s critical to understand this phenomenon’s connection to climate change.

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What Happens If Glen Canyon Dam’s Power Shuts Off?

Circle of Blue

Besides the kilowatt-hours it generates, Glen Canyon provides key services to the electric grid. The country’s second largest reservoir and a lynchpin in the intermountain electric grid, Powell is more dirt than water these days. Hydropower generation will likely shut down when Lake Powell’s elevation drops below 3,490 feet.

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Tornadoes and More: What Spring Can Bring to the Power Grid 

Union of Concerned Scientists

Fuel transport – Spring floods can hinder the transportation of fuels like coal. While it is a heavily polluting fossil fuel that is set to continue declining as a fuel source for US electricity generation over the next decade, coal still accounted for roughly 20 percent of the country’s generation in 2022.