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Ellmers and McNerney introduce electric grid modernization package
Story Date: 5/15/2015
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Source: PRESS RELEASE, 5/14/15
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) and Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-CA-09) released the following statement this afternoon after introducing H.R. 2244 and H.R. 2245 – two provisions to be included the House Energy & Commerce Committee’s Architecture of Abundance Energy Package.
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02):
“My home state of North Carolina is all too familiar with the damage that can result from hurricanes, including long-lasting power outages. In an effort to quickly restore power and mitigate disruptions to the electric grid, it is essential that we have the ability to replace damaged electrical equipment as soon as possible.”
“As co-chair of the Grid Innovation Caucus here in Congress, I have made it a priority to modernize and strengthen the electric grid. I have worked with my colleagues to create a more secure, reliable and resilient grid in order to protect critical electric infrastructure. This will better prepare us so that we have the ability to repair the grid and restore power whether there is a natural disaster or a targeted attack.”
“I am eager to continue working with my colleague, Congressman McNerney, on these two measures that benefits consumers but also promote resiliency of the U.S. electric grid.”
Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-CA-09):
“I am glad to work with my Grid Innovation Caucus co-chair on two bills that will benefit consumers and further enhance the reliability of our electric grid. By taking action now and making an innovative and modern grid a reality, we will create family-wage jobs, increase efficiency, and save consumers money. As our grid continues to remain vulnerable to attacks and the impacts of superstorms have become more frequent, it’s essential that we are able to restore electric power quickly. Studying the potential need for strategic spare transformer locations throughout the country has the potential to bolster our ability to respond to these incidents more effectively, benefitting our families, businesses, and vital programs that all rely on a responsive electric grid.”
H.R. 2244, The Strategic Transformer Reserve Program, requires the Secretary of the Department of Energy to prepare and submit a plan to Congress that establishes a Strategic Transformer Reserve Program for the storage of spare large power transformers in strategically-located facilities and in sufficient numbers to temporarily replace critically-damaged large power transformers.
Because large power transformers are incredibly complex, each transformer is custom built to desired specifications. As they are not mass produced, the manufacturing and delivery of these transformers can take nearly a year.
Due to the difficulty and expenses involved in the production of large power transformers, the U.S. is not prepared to replace numerous transformers in the event of physical, cyber, electromagnetic pulse attack, geomagnetic disturbances, severe weather or seismic events. In order to ensure the U.S. can mitigate the loss of multiple transformers, we must have a temporary source of spare transformers strategically placed to maintain a secure, reliable and resilient electric grid.
H.R. 2245 would include Smart Grid capable appliances to Energy Guide labels. This will benefit consumers by helping them directly monitor their energy consumption and provide them with the opportunity to lower the cost of their utility bill.
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