Wildfires, Record Heat Waves and Extreme Weather Events — The Perils of Climate Change

Abstract

Wildfires, record heatwaves, hurricanes, tornados, floods, power outages—the news on the climate front is worsening. Previous editorials have focused on increasing heatwaves and weather events. What had previously been record breaking temperatures has once again been broken. These continuing events are raising havoc with our electric grid resulting in more and prolonged power outages from storm damage, and straining resources as grid operators struggle to maintain grid reliability in the face of long-duration heat events—all placing mounting pressure on utilities to upgrade systems to meet these new challenges. And the cost of upgrading systems are ultimately borne by customers.