After portions of Kansas and the United States had their power cut during a cold snap, Senator Roger Marshall has called for a hearing on the reliability of the country’s power grids.
Energy providers say some power outages were planned in order to keep the regions power grids stable and prevent larger uncontrollable blackouts. Ice and snow caused equipment failures that were to blame for some outages too. Senator Marshall is asking the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources to examine the U.S. power grid’s ability to stand up to extreme weather.
“I appreciate the dedication of officials in Kansas to ensuring our businesses and residents have the natural gas and propane needed to continue powering their homes and businesses through this cold weather. While we continue to do all we can at the federal level to confirm no foul play or price gouging has occurred and to support our utility companies and community leaders as they work diligently to keep Kansans warm, I believe it is prudent to exam the reliability, resiliency, and affordability of electricity and natural gas when the system is stressed,” said Senator Marshall. “The Midwest and Great Plains have seen cold weather before. Electricity generators and natural gas producers in the north consistently operate in extreme cold weather. The ultimate questions become, ‘Why weren’t we prepared’” and ‘What can we do to ensure this doesn’t happen again?’”
The full text of a letter from Marshall can be read below.
February 18, 2021
The Honorable Joe Manchin, Chairman
Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources
304 Dirksen Senate Building
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable John Barrasso, M.D., Ranking Member
Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources
304 Dirksen Senate Building
Washington, DC 20510
Chairman Manchin and Ranking Member Barrasso,
For more than a week, Kansas has experienced record-breaking cold temperatures with ice and snow accumulating over much of the state. Temperatures have set new record-lows and multiple cities in Kansas have set new days-below-freezing records. Additionally, multiple states across the Great Plains and Midwest have also endured unseasonably cold temperatures and continued freezing conditions.
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued a state disaster declaration and the Kansas Corporation Commission issued an emergency order directing utilities to do everything possible and necessary to ensure continued delivery of electricity, natural gas, and propane to Kansas customers. Kansas companies have seen their power cut and Kansans have experienced rolling blackouts.
I respectfully request that the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources hold a hearing to exam the reliability and resiliency of the electric grid in extreme weather events like the arctic blast. More specifically, I believe it is prudent to exam the affordability of electricity and natural gas when the system is stressed. The Midwest and Great Plains have seen cold weather before. Electricity generators and natural gas producers in the north consistently operate in extreme cold weather. The ultimate questions become, “Why weren’t we prepared?” and “What can we do to ensure this doesn’t happen again?”
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Roger Marshall, M.D
United States Senator
