U.S. Invests $2 Billion To Strengthen Power Grid And Boost Resilience Against Extreme Weather

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced an additional $2 billion for 38 projects aimed at protecting the U.S. power grid from the increasing threats of extreme weather. This funding, provided through the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program, will enhance grid capacity, reduce costs for communities, and support new infrastructure to accommodate growing electricity demands from manufacturing, data centers, and electrification.

These projects will add over 7.5 gigawatts (GW) of grid capacity, creating nearly 6,000 jobs and sparking over $4.2 billion in public and private investments. The selected initiatives will span across 42 states and the District of Columbia, including six key projects announced by President Biden during his recent trip to Florida, which were in areas affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The plan will involve upgrading more than 950 miles of transmission infrastructure, constructing over 300 miles of new lines, and modernizing over 650 miles of existing lines with advanced grid technologies to enhance capacity. This effort will help safeguard the grid from future extreme weather events and enable faster interconnection for renewable energy projects.

DOE Secretary Jennifer Granholm emphasized the urgency of these investments, noting the strain that hurricanes and other extreme weather have placed on the nation’s aging electrical systems. Granholm stated that the administration’s Investing in America initiative is making the largest grid investment in U.S. history, ensuring the power grid is more reliable and resilient.

John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President, highlighted the need to double transmission capacity within the next decade to meet the administration’s clean energy goals. The selected projects will help expand transmission capacity and make the grid more adaptable to future challenges.

The GRIP program, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, has allocated $10.5 billion for grid improvements, with this latest round bringing the total federal funding to $7.6 billion for 104 projects. These efforts are expected to enable 55 GW of new grid capacity, equivalent to powering more than 40 million homes annually.

In addition to improving grid resilience, the selected projects will boost economic development and job creation. Over 80% of these projects will collaborate with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), creating workforce development opportunities and apprenticeships.

One example of this funding’s impact is the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) project, which will add 2,400 megawatts (MW) of transmission capacity across eight states, reducing solar interconnection backlogs and improving outage response times. This project is expected to deliver significant economic benefits to disadvantaged communities.

The GRIP program also supports innovation in grid technologies. For example, a project in Connecticut will integrate a 20 MW battery storage system to transform a fossil-fuel plant into a carbon-neutral solution. Another project in Georgia will rebuild transmission infrastructure using advanced conductors to increase capacity.

The DOE plans to launch a third round of GRIP funding in 2025 to continue these critical grid improvements.