(The Hill) — Gulf Coast policymakers on Monday laid out efforts to brace for what’s expected to be an active hurricane season during a Hill event titled “Securing the Grid – Powering the Gulf South Region.”
Eric Skrmetta, vice chair of the Louisiana Public Service Commission, said the durability of the power grid needs to improve, including calling for infrastructure that can help manage the flow of power.
“We’re looking at the durability of [the] transmission grid more than anything,” Skrmetta said when asked about hurricane season.
“We need supplies and we need mechanisms. We’re going to need to build transformer manufacturing facilities,” he added.
Skrmetta said the state has “been in discussions with the Pentagon about the need for building one, possibly in Louisiana, Oklahoma, [or] Texas.”
The “Securing the Grid” event, which was sponsored by electric company Entergy, comes one day after the official start of hurricane season. U.S. weather agencies have predicted an “above average” season, which could see between three and five major hurricanes.
“You’re seeing our energy suppliers here in Texas put in more steel poles instead of wooden poles. There’s a move to get as much of that infrastructure, if you will, below ground,” said Rep. Randy Weber (R-Texas).
It’s not just hurricanes, though, that have taken a toll on Texas’s electric grid. During 2021’s Winter Storm Uri, the state faced massive blackouts that killed hundreds of people.
The state has implemented significant reforms since that time, but Weber still said it’s in bad shape and criticized the Biden administration over electric vehicles in the process.
“It’s really bad,” Weber said when asked to grade the state of the grid.
“They wanted to put 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations. They did put it in that bill, and we don’t have the grid to support that. So we’re wanting to make sure that everybody understands that we ought to have nuclear,” he added, referring to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds for a nationwide electric vehicle charging network.
Meanwhile, Rep. Troy Carter (D-La.) said he’d give his state a “B-plus” as far as infrastructure and storm response.
“Louisiana has been a very good student. It has done the preparation, and I think understanding of investing in our shorelines in our floodplains and our levees,” Carter said, but added, “We still have work to do.”
