Hardening, Resiliency, and Cost Recovery: Utilities Respond to Extreme Weather

In light of recent extreme weather events, electric power companies, regulators, legislators, and other stakeholders are evaluating options for storm hardening and resiliency to improve electric system reliability and response. This article discusses a range of measures utilities employ to safeguard critical infrastructure and highlights cost recovery mechanisms utilities have used to fund these investments. Case studies from New Jersey and Florida illustrate recent trends in state legislative action and public service commission (PSC) activities following extreme weather events. Hardening the electric grid and investing in resiliency measures is a multi-step process that requires an ongoing commitment to ensure the system is prepared for extreme weather events.