Louisiana invests billions to reinforce power grid
Energy leaders met in New Orleans to advance grid resilience, with a $2 B initiative focused on storm recovery, infrastructure upgrades, and clean energy solutions.
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USA, Louisiana, New Orleans: As climate-related disasters intensify, energy officials, regulators, and lawmakers convened in New Orleans to focus on one priority: strengthening Louisiana’s power grid.
The summit, led by the Louisiana Public Service Commission, addressed how to make the grid not only more durable in the face of extreme weather but also quicker to recover after storms. Commissioner Eric Skrmetta detailed a $2 B resilience plan, jointly developed by the state and utility provider Entergy.
“Louisiana committed to grid resilience with Entergy through a $2 B investment – targeting both the transmission and distribution systems,” Skrmetta said. “The key goal is ensuring recovery after severe weather.”
A central component of the plan includes upgrading aging and at-risk infrastructure, starting with essentials like utility poles.
Entergy CEO Drew Marsh highlighted the importance of balancing resilience with affordability and sustainability. “Our customers are our priority,” said Marsh. “We are working to ensure reliability, but also keeping energy affordable and sustainable for all Louisianans.”
Marsh added that Louisiana’s robust energy infrastructure helps maintain some of the lowest electricity costs in the nation, supporting economic competitiveness on a global scale.
The summit also explored long-term strategies for energy security. Congressman Troy Carter emphasized that resilience extends beyond electricity, calling for reinforced levees and solar-powered cooling centers in areas most vulnerable to climate impacts.
With increasingly intense storms and rising risks, Louisiana leaders agreed: investments must be made now. The roadmap ahead includes smart grid technologies, renewable energy integration, and policies that protect communities, reduce outages, and create lasting benefits.
Source: WGNO
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