Over 50% of US faces high risk of winter blackouts due to Biden’s energy policies, warns watchdog
More than Half of US at Elevated Risk of Winter Blackouts Due to Biden Energy Policies, Watchdog Warns
An energy watchdog group is sounding the alarm, stating that over half of the country is at an increased risk of blackouts this winter. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) has released its Winter Reliability Assessment, which points to President Joe Biden’s energy policy as a direct threat to the stability of America’s energy grid. This warning comes as AccuWeather predicts a harsh winter season with colder temperatures and heavy snowfall.
According to NERC, inadequate generator weatherization and limitations to natural gas infrastructure could lead to blackouts during extreme cold weather from Texas to New England. The group’s director of reliability assessment and performance analysis, John Moura, explains that these factors have historically resulted in unavailable generators during critical winter periods.
NERC’s 2023-2024 WRA finds much of North America is at an elevated risk of insufficient energy supply to meet demand in extreme conditions. Areas identified as being at elevated risk extend over the eastern two-thirds of the continent.
Texas residents are familiar with the consequences of power outages, as millions were left without electricity during Winter Storm Uri in 2021. The outages were attributed to natural gas generators failing to come online.
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) also points to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a contributor to the problem. The NRECA blames the premature closures of coal and gas-fired power plants, as well as permitting delays preventing new infrastructure from being built and connected to the grid.
The NRECA strongly opposes the EPA’s proposed rule to reduce power plant emissions, stating that it uses unproven technologies and unrealistic compliance timelines. The organization argues that these policies threaten electric reliability and affordability for all Americans.
While the EPA claims its regulations will address the climate crisis and protect public health, the NRECA insists that the energy transition is mismanaged and poses escalating dangers.
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According to the Examiner, the outages in Texas were caused by natural gas generators failing to come online.
“While gas operators are taking steps to weatherize their conditions and help lower risks for the winter weather, NERC officials said their assessment is that it is ‘unlikely’ that actions will be enough to reduce the risk down to an acceptable level,” the outlet reported.
The NRECA also criticized the EPA’s proposed regulations, stating that they threaten electric reliability and affordability for every American.
The EPA claims its proposed regulations will help “tackle the climate crisis and protect public health.”
The NRECA disagrees, emphasizing the escalating dangers of a mismanaged energy transition and the need for policy support.
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What actions can be taken to address the vulnerabilities in the nation’s energy infrastructure and ensure the well-being of the American people during the winter season
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The Western Journal’s mission is to give readers the information they need to make informed decisions. We believe that a free and independent press is essential to a healthy democracy. If you appreciate the work we do, please consider making a donation to support our efforts. Thank you.
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As winter approaches, concerns about potential blackouts in the United States are increasing. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), an energy watchdog group, has released its Winter Reliability Assessment (WRA), warning that over half of the country is at an elevated risk of power outages. The report highlights President Joe Biden’s energy policies as a direct threat to the stability of America’s energy grid.
According to NERC, inadequate weatherization of generators and limitations in natural gas infrastructure pose significant risks during extreme cold weather conditions from Texas to New England. John Moura, the group’s director of reliability assessment and performance analysis, explains that these issues have historically resulted in unavailable generators during critical winter periods. The WRA identifies elevated risk areas extending over the eastern two-thirds of the continent.
This warning comes as AccuWeather predicts a harsh winter season with colder temperatures and heavy snowfall, amplifying concerns about the reliability of the nation’s energy supply.
Texas, in particular, experienced the consequences of power outages during Winter Storm Uri in 2021. Millions of residents were left without electricity, and the failure of natural gas generators to come online was identified as the main cause of the outages. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) also points to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a contributor to the problem.
The NRECA attributes the power outages to premature closures of coal and gas-fired power plants, as well as permitting delays preventing the construction of new infrastructure and its connection to the grid. The organization strongly opposes the EPA’s proposed rule to reduce power plant emissions, claiming that it relies on unproven technologies and unrealistic compliance timelines. The NRECA argues that these policies threaten electric reliability and affordability for all Americans.
In response, the EPA defends its regulations, stating that they are necessary to address the climate crisis and protect public health. However, the NRECA firmly believes that the energy transition is mismanaged and poses escalating dangers.
These contrasting viewpoints highlight significant concerns about the potential consequences of Biden’s energy policies. As the winter season approaches, it is crucial to address these issues to ensure the stability and reliability of the nation’s energy grid.
Do you think Biden’s energy policies are hurting Americans?
- Yes
- No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge via email. You may opt out at any time. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
According to the Examiner, the outages in Texas were caused by natural gas generators failing to come online. The article further reports that NERC officials state their assessment is that actions taken to weatherize gas conditions are unlikely to reduce the risk to an acceptable level. This further emphasizes the concerns raised by the NRECA about the vulnerabilities in the nation’s energy infrastructure.
The NRECA’s criticism of the EPA’s proposed regulations highlights the potential implications of these policies on the reliability and affordability of electricity for all Americans. As the debate continues, it is essential to evaluate the impact of energy policies on the well-being of the American people and the resilience of the nation’s energy grid.
A Note from Our Founder:
Every morning, we at The Western Journal wake up and pursue our mission of giving you the important information you need about what’s happening in America.
We can’t do that without your help.
Americans, like you, rely on The Western Journal’s unbiased reporting. We are not beholden to any political party or special interest group, allowing us to bring you the facts and analysis that matter most.
A Note from Our Founder:
The Western Journal’s mission is to give readers the information they need to make informed decisions. We believe that a free and independent press is essential to a healthy democracy. If you appreciate the work we do, please consider making a donation to support our efforts. Thank you.
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