Extreme weather, like the kind the D.C. region experienced over the weekend, highlights the stresses on the local power grid.
While no one likes waiting for the power to come back on, in Maryland, officials who have dealt with the impacts of weather emergencies and power outages say there has been progress in the performance of utilities, specifically concerning Pepco, which provides power to customers in Montgomery and Prince George鈥檚 counties.
Maryland State Del. C.T. Wilson, who chairs a House panel that has oversight of utilities and the Public Service Commission, told 草莓传媒 in an interview that 鈥淚 do believe we鈥檙e definitely in a much better position as far as reliability issues鈥� than in 2010, when a series of storms and so-called 鈥渂lue sky鈥� outages plagued the region.
Earl Stoddard, the Montgomery County Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, recalls being involved on the county work group under then-County Executive Ike Leggett that examined Pepco鈥檚 performance and called for hardening the utilities鈥� infrastructure.
Stoddard was also involved in the PSC鈥檚 rulemaking on utility reliability standards.
鈥淲e鈥檙e very pleased with the outcome鈥� of those changes, said Stoddard. Now, he said, utilities 鈥渃ontinue to collaborate with the county on prioritizing key facilities for restoration … it is a much better partnership than it was when I started in 2009.”
Wilson agreed with that assessment. He said the change in state rules on utility reliability standards ensured that 鈥渢he lines are sound, the vegetation gets handled,鈥� and that the PSC now 鈥渋s not only on top of utility reporting and investment, but imposes fines whenever these utilities fail to meet our standards.鈥�
But Wilson and Stoddard told 草莓传媒 that the severity and frequency of violent storms and extreme weather will continue to test the resilience of the region鈥檚 power grid.
One illustration of the challenges utilities face, said Wilson, is the push to bury more power lines.
The argument is that can reduce the outages caused by falling trees and limbs. But, said Wilson, 鈥淚t sounds like that would be a great idea, but just remember, these costs are going to be borne by the rate payer.鈥�
And when wires are buried, and there are outages, Wilson added, finding and repairing those underground lines can be a more complex 鈥� and potentially costly 鈥� process.
Wilson said utilities are working to address challenges posed by climate change, but that 鈥渁s they flex and adapt, we鈥檒l be right there with them, because that鈥檚 part of our job is oversight鈥� to 鈥渕ake sure that they can respond to these increasing challenges.鈥�
