Bit by bit, we are hearing more about this great infrastructure program that President Biden wants the US to adopt. And, part of that program is coming together as we speak.
Last week, President Biden announced a long-needed project was to start. The US Department of Energy is going to finance an upgrade to our power grid. The $ 8 billion program will let us install new high-voltage transmission lines. Moreover, the rules (and obstacles) to create new power lines along our highways, railways (and other rights of way) will be changed.
Part of the rationale for these improvements is to afford alternative power better connections to our power grids. The new transmission lines will allow remote wind and solar power to provide electricity for US needs. (This involves a 10 year extension to the wind, solar, and battery tax credits.)
(It doesn’t hurt that a criminal enterprise, aided by Russian authorities, just hacked the largest oil pipeline in the US, Colonial Pipeline, shutting down some 45% of the fuel transportation in the US. Demonstrating yet again the feebleness of our infrastructure to hacking exploits.)
If we are to create “clean” electricity, we are going to need gigawatts of new production. The DOE loan program provides $ 5 billion in loan guarantees for these alternative energy sources.
The Americans for Clean Energy Grid (utility power companies, renewable energy companies, environmental groups) claims there are 22 “shovel” ready projects that can be effected immediately. More importantly, these projects involve 17 million MW-miles (a million MW-mile project means that 1 mile of transmission line can service a million megawatts of power). Given that the US transmission grids service 150 million MW-miles, these new projects will increase our capacity by more than 10%.
Not too shabby.
This is exciting. New jobs. New tech. Progress!
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Bridges, tunnels,and roads, oh my!
YES!! Now Mitch and the protrumpers need to lose their influence!!
That would be interesting- but not highly likely, Kate.
Our gas lines in SC go on for miles. Luckily we don’t have anywhere to go and we always keep our truck tank filled. So many run on empty then wait until warning light comes on to find gas. I remember the gas lines in the ’70’s but the had odd and even days and couldn’t fill gas cans.
I think these lines are more related to panic buyimng than a true shortage. But, it still leads to a true shortage if everyone panics and fills their tank.