Politics & Government
Texas to safeguard power grid with $60.6 million federal grant
The Texas Division of Emergency Management is slated to receive a federal grant amounting to $60.6 million for improving state's power grid
Texas - The Texas Division of Emergency Management is slated to receive a federal grant amounting to $60.6 million. This allocation, intended to bolster the state's electricity grid infrastructure, comes as part of a strategic move to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events.
The U.S. Department of Energy disclosed on Thursday its plan to disburse the funding, which was set up through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grant program.
“These grants will help modernize the electric grid to reduce impacts of extreme weather and natural disasters while enhancing power sector reliability,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said in a statement, as reported by the Texas Tribune.
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The exact allocation of these funds will be determined by state emergency officials, who could potentially channel it into initiatives such as maintaining clearances around power lines or enhancing the performance of equipment under severe temperature conditions.
Despite reaching out, there was no immediate comment from the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
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The urgency to reinforce grid resilience has been palpably felt in Texas, stemming from the winter storm of 2021 that forced power grid operators to implement widespread electricity cuts. This incident led to the unfortunate deaths of hundreds as freezing temperatures gripped the state, leaving residents unable to heat their homes.
Subsequent legislation in Texas mandated power generators to adequately weather-proof their equipment, though recent storms have highlighted the continuous vulnerability of the transmission system. Power outages were reported across the state, including Austin, during a winter storm earlier this year, and East Texas was also affected by severe storms in June.
The Department of Energy has planned an ambitious distribution of $2.3 billion over the coming five years to states, territories, and tribes across the U.S., aiming to proactively address power grid resilience concerns.
Content credit: Dallas Metro News, The Texas Tribune
