Our Electric Grid is Not a Joke, Jim! Millions of Families Depend on It Every Day.

Welcome back to Climatific, a free, weekly read that breaks down climate science so it makes sense- not for scientists or researchers, but for everyday people trying to understand the planet we live on, what’s happening to it, and why it matters.

This week, we’re diving into the U.S. electrical grid, so obviously I’ll be taking this opportunity to pay an ode to the hit TV show based on the one and only Scranton, Pennsylvania (a.k.a. “The Electric City”). So hold onto your chili and find your seat. It’s about to get nerdy.

If you’re a new subscriber, then welcome! Thanks for joining us. Be sure to catch up on past issues of Climatific and learn more about who we are here:

Construction of the U.S. electric grid began in the early 1960s in New York. What began with a series of wires and coal-fired power plants rapidly transformed as soon as the switch was flipped. This electric revolution led to the introduction of innovations like transformers, current alternators, new generation methods, and long distance transmission lines. What a big, beautiful mess, right?

Like most things in life, beautiful things are also complicated. So let’s break this down even further.

Unless you want to live like they do at Schrute Farms, then the 21st century has blessed you with a monthly electric bill from your local utility. We refer to these companies as EDCs, or Electric Distribution Companies. These organizations ensure that the power that you need to host Christmas karaoke or make a cheesy pita is readily available at all times. How do they do this?

When you take a look at your electric bill, you’ll notice three different charges: generation, transmission, and distribution. All are equally important and their prices are very interdependent on one another. Before we can really understand how electricity influences the climate, we first need to understand the roles they play in our electric grid.

Nope, not quite. Remember, they’re referred to as generation, transmission, and distribution. Let’s start with the first one.

Electrical power needs to be generated from some sort of process. In the beginning, we generated energy by burning coal, oil, or other fossil fuels. Now, we can also collect energy from the sun through solar panels, from the earth’s natural heat through geothermal systems, or by hooking a bike up to the television and telling your kids they need to pedal to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Generation charges are the most costly and account for over 50% of your electric bill. Where and how you get your energy is extremely important from both a cost perspective and an environmental perspective. Here’s the good news - if you live in a deregulated state, that means you have control over this. This means that while your utility automatically provides you with their generated electricity, you can choose to pursue a supply contract with a third-party that may better suit your needs.

Let’s say you’re a Scrantonian in Pennsylvania and want to reduce your generation costs. You’ll want to log onto PAPowerSwitch.com to look at the deals that other suppliers are offering people in your area. If you’re trying to be more environmentally conscious, then consider looking into companies that generate electricity from renewable sources like wind or solar. Many other deregulated states offer similar government-run websites that people can use to shop for cheaper electricity rates with verified power companies.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), nearly 50% of the United States energy generation comes from gas sources. That’s because natural gas is abundant, reliable, and cost-effective.

Great, now we have energy but how in the world do we get it from the power plant to your house so you can keep binging The Office? That’s where transmission lines (and charges) come into play.

Your local utility is responsible for maintaining these wires and ensuring that you have reliable infrastructure to access the grid’s power. EDCs charge you to use their wires and you generally can’t negotiate these prices. State commissions and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) are responsible for advocating for their constituents so you and Stanley can go back to your crossword puzzles.

Last but not least: distribution. The energy has been generated at a site, traveled through wires, and now needs to enter a substation so that you can access it from your home. These devices convert high-voltage electricity to medium-voltage so that is safe to use. Feeders, transformers, and other cables are other essential components in this step. Like transmission charges, distribution charges aren’t up for negotiation.

Easy there, Jimbo. We understand your frustration. It seems like these prices are skyrocketing every other day. In the biz, we call this energy market volatility. I also call it job security.

The other question is: “What the heck does this have to do with climate change?”

Lots, actually. It’s no secret that we’ve been prioritizing fossil fuel extraction for energy use, whose combustion directly contributes to climate change. Although, integrating renewable sources is much easier said than done. With over 70% of our transmission lines being more than 25 years old and nearing the end of their lifespan, introducing too many interconnections for new electricity sources puts people at risk. Brownouts (partial power outages), blackouts (full power outages), security breaches, and so many more issues pose a threat to this old, delicate system of intertwining wires.

Massive upgrades to transmission lines results in significantly greater costs for residents and businesses. But relying solely on fossil fuels for power generation isn’t a great solution either. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) stated that fossil fuel reserves are in numbered supply and our current demand for liquid fuels can only be supported until the year 2050.

Alright, settle down now! It’s not great, but there’s no need to panic! Researchers and engineers have identified a couple of solutions, all while prioritizing technological restrictions, costs, and environmental management. In a few weeks’ time, we’ll dive into a couple of these considerations.

If you’ve been paying attention to the news, there’s a good chance you’ve seen a headline or two about the recent rollback of the EPA’s 2009 endangerment finding.

Next week, we’re sitting down with Benjamin DeAngelo—a former EPA official who played a key role in developing the finding seventeen years ago.

Join us in Climatific’s first-ever collaboration as we ask Ben about what the endangerment finding is, why it was introduced in the first place, and what it means now that it’s set to be repealed.

We’re doing the research so you don’t have to.

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