Oregon’s Wyden, Merkley Want To Update The Power Grid

Power companies struggle to upgrade the power grid to make it less likely to cause wildfires.  Oregon Senator Ron Wyden said it's especially tough for rural utilities with fewer resources.

"It is really a trifecta of punishment for rural communities, and we're seeing it in Oregon," Wyden said.  "Basically, the combination of wildfire, drought and then escalating energy prices comes together."

Dr. Liza Reed, Director of Climate and Energy Policy at the Niskanen Center, said new grid technology reduces the risk a downed power line will start a fire.

"The value that transmission can provide in wildfire mitigation by being able to move power away from where areas are at extreme risk," Reed said.

Upgrading the technology is expensive.  Wyden, along with fellow Oregon senator Jeff Merkley, are sponsors of the Wildfire and Grid Reliability Act.  Each year, $15 billion would be available to utilities in matching grants.  Rural utilities, the two democrats say would receive more money.

Click Here to learn more about the Wildfire and Grid Reliability Act.

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