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Read. Follow. Verify.Senate Hearing on Electric Grid Performance During Winter Storms
Record date · January 1, 2019
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What This Bill Does
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing to examine how the electric power systems in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions performed during severe winter weather, specifically the '' event in early 2018. The committee heard testimony from federal energy officials and grid operators regarding grid reliability and the impact of extreme weather on energy infrastructure.
This hearing evaluates the resilience of the regional power grid, which directly impacts the reliability of electricity and heating services for millions of residents during extreme winter weather events.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Electric utility customers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
These residents rely on the power grid for heating and electricity during extreme weather events.
Grid operators (PJM Interconnection, ISO New England)
These organizations are responsible for managing the power supply and grid stability during high-demand weather events.
Key Facts
- The hearing took place on January 23, 2018, to review the performance of the electric power system during recent winter weather events.
- The scope of the review included the 'Bomb Cyclone' weather event in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
- The committee received testimony from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the U.S. Department of Energy.
- Grid operators PJM Interconnection and ISO New England provided testimony regarding their operational performance during the weather events.
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- The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) provided an assessment of grid reliability.
- Senator Cantwell entered a report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine titled 'Enhancing the Resilience of the Nation's Electricity System' into the record.
- Senator Angus King submitted charts illustrating the link between natural gas prices and wholesale electricity prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceFull breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Grid Resilience Focus
The hearing highlights a shift toward prioritizing 'resilience'—the ability to withstand and recover from extreme weather—rather than just standard reliability.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.govinfo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy30Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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