Full Title: Governors’ Guide to Modernizing the Electric Power Grid
Author(s): National Governors Association (NGA)
Publisher(s): National Governors Association (NGA)
Publication Date: March 1, 2014
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):
Governors have a strong interest in ensuring that the electric power grid functions safely, reliably, and efficiently. Although it functions well overall and utilities have made many upgrades, the grid needs modern technologies and new infrastructure to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, including mitigating increased storm- and cyber- related threats, integrating the use of more renewable energy resources, and capitalizing on the greater availability of data on grid performance and electricity usage. Most recently, an attack by gunmen on a utility substation in California that caused damage but did not result in a power outage has drawn attention to another vulnerability of electricity infrastructure. By modernizing the grid, states and utilities have an opportunity to address those challenges, improve the operation and efficiency of the electric power system, and drive economic opportunities. Governors can help regulators, utilities, and customers better understand the benefits of grid modernization in terms of increased reliability, resiliency, and energy efficiency and how those benefits compare to the costs. Governors also can promote greater coordination among state, federal, and private partners—on transmission development, cybersecurity threats, and renewable integration— which can help modernization efforts occur more quickly and cost-effectively.