$14 M to enhance resilience of Ohio’s power grid
President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act is giving Ohio $14 million, which will be used for enhancement of the state’s power grid.
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USA, Ohio: President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act is giving Ohio $14 million, which will be used for enhancement of the state’s power grid.
Electric utilities in the state will use the money to reduce the likelihood of power outages which happen due to extreme weather events. Climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme weather resulting in a higher likelihood of flooding, heat waves, and tornadoes in the Midwestern state.
Dylan Reed, with the Department of Energy, said eligible projects for the new funding include installing underground power lines, weatherizing equipment to withstand extreme cold temperatures, and constructing new substations.
“We’re investing in projects that can reduce the likelihood that the power ever goes out,” Reed said. “But if it does, how can we make sure that it gets up faster? So instead of the power being out for a week, can we get that down to a day, or a couple of hours?”
Matt Schilling, from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) — the entity distributing the funds, stated projects in low-income communities in Ohio will be prioritized.
“What could be great about this is these funds are going to be in communities, in areas where perhaps that funding has been lacking and or investment has been lacking,” Schilling said. “So we’re hopeful it will be targeted in ways that will have the greatest community impact.”
Source: WYSO