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New analysis into final yr’s energy outages suggests Washington may face blackout disruptions this summer season.
Vitality consultants at Texas Electrical energy Rankings analyzed the U.S. Vitality Info Administration’s (EIA) 2023 Electrical Disturbance Occasions Annual Summaries knowledge to pinpoint states most in danger for disruptions this summer season. They targeted on outages from Could to August, contemplating every outage’s frequency and common period.
Final summer season, Washington skilled six outages, totaling 4 hours and 7 minutes, with a median period of simply 41 minutes. King County and Skagit County have been the first areas affected, with most incidents brought on by bodily assaults. Washington’s investor-owned utilities, like Puget Sound Vitality, are working to stop outages by managing vegetation round energy traces.
States That Confronted the Worst Outages Final Summer season
| Rank | State | Variety of Outages | Complete Hours of Outage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan | 10 | 90:12 |
| 2 | Texas | 9 | 71:33 |
| 3 | Georgia | 7 | 91:49 |
| 4 | Maryland | 6 | 78:06 |
| 4 | Washington | 6 | 04:07 |
| 5 | California | 5 | 02:55 |
| 5 | Missouri | 5 | 02:00 |
| 5 | North Dakota | 5 | 24:52 |
| 5 | Oregon | 5 | 126:29 |
| 5 | Tennessee | 5 | 184:46 |
Michigan, which skilled ten outages final summer season, ought to brace for potential will increase in disruptions this yr. With a complete disruption time exceeding 90 hours, every outage lasted round ten hours and 9 minutes on common. Primarily concentrated in Macomb County and Eaton County, these outages impacted practically a million prospects, primarily because of extreme climate occasions.
Texas ranks second, having skilled a complete of 9 outages final summer season. These disruptions led to a complete outage time of roughly 71 and a half hours, with every lasting just below eight hours on common. System malfunctions have been the first trigger, predominantly impacting El Paso. The Texas PUC enforces rules for electrical utilities to take care of vegetation administration inside the state.
Georgia ranked third-worst with seven energy outages final summer season. These disruptions affected over 90,500 prospects, primarily in DeKalb County. Vandalism was the first trigger, leading to a mixed outage period of 91 hours and 49 minutes, averaging round 13 hours per outage. Investor-owned utilities in Georgia, reminiscent of Georgia Energy, have tree-pruning applications not directly influenced by the Georgia Public Service Fee (PSC).
Maryland, impacting 337,000 prospects final summer season, skilled six outages primarily because of extreme climate occasions. Hartford and Montgomery County residents confronted nearly all of final yr’s disruptions, every lasting round 19 and a half hours per outage. The entire outage period amounted to 78 hours and 6 minutes. With a 50-60% probability of exceeding regular summer season temperatures (sometimes 64-76°F), Maryland could face additional climate disturbances this summer season.
California, Missouri, North Dakota, Oregon, and Tennessee, every experiencing 5 outages, full the checklist.
Commenting on the findings, Karl Trollinger, CEO of Texas Electrical energy Rankings, stated, “Extreme heat, though less common (only 3% of weather outages), can complicate existing problems. With this summer already expected to be one of the hottest summers on record, an increasingly likely La Niña event will bring drought to southern states, heavy flooding in the Pacific Northwest, and a more severe hurricane season in the central and eastern United States.”
“Power outages can be incredibly disruptive, especially when they strike frequently and affect entire communities. However, a plan can make a big difference during a power outage and significantly ease stress. Simple steps like keeping refrigerator and freezer doors closed to preserve perishable food, ensuring you have a ready supply of batteries and alternative power sources, equipping each family member with a flashlight, and unplugging appliances to prevent potential damage when power is restored. This preparation can offer peace of mind, keeping you and your loved ones comfortable until the power returns.”
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