Electric Power Interruptions

HousingInfrastructureClimate
Written By Alysha Rashid

FL customers averaged 19 hours of power interruptions in 2022, and WV averaged 17, compared to 6 hours for the average U.S. customer.

Average annual duration of electric power interruptions, by state

Hours per customer

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration. Notes: "Momentary" interruptions that last 5 minutes or less are generally omitted. Data reported by utilities using IEEE standard as well as any other method.

Climate shocks tend to cause the longest power interruptions.1 In 2022, two major hurricanes hit Florida, and Floridians experienced an average of 19 hours without power. Over the last ten years, from 2013 to 2022, Louisiana had the highest cumulative hours (188) of power interruptions of all states, and West Virginia had the third highest hours of interruptions (128). Power interruptions can be deadly, particularly following climate shocks which tend to occur during the hottest or coldest times of year — leaving residents without air conditioning or heat sources (Heat-related Deaths). In addition, carbon monoxide deaths spike during power outages.2 A grassroots effort to provide electricity during emergencies has sprung up in Louisiana. Churches and community centers within 15 minutes of all Louisianans will have solar panels and battery storage installed and serve as “Community Lighthouses”.[3]

As weather events become larger, affecting a wide swath of the country, the fragmented nature of the nation’s power grid impedes the transfer of power to affected areas.[4] A more integrated system would make the U.S. energy infrastructure more resilient. Such a system would also support the transmission of renewable energy generated in one region to other regions with lower wind and solar resources.[5] The Inflation Reduction Act includes funding to boost the development of U.S. electricity transmission infrastructure.[6] Louisiana has secured over $300 million in federal grant funding to fortify its electric grid in New Orleans.[7] But nationwide, much permitting for the implementation of this new infrastructure is delayed, slowing the country’s transition to sustainable energy. These delays will need to be addressed to speed the country’s reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (Greenhouse Gas Emissions).[8],[9]

  1. Berry, R. (2022, November 14). U.S. electricity customers averaged seven hours of power interruptions in 2021. Www.eia.gov; Energy Information Administration. https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=54639

  2. Worsham, C., Woo, J., Kearney, M., Bray, C. F., & Jena, A. B. (2022). Carbon Monoxide Poisoning during Major U.S. Power Outages. The New England Journal of Medicine, 386(2), 191–192. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmc2113554

  3. Smith, M. (2023, November 16). “This is an inspiration”: Plans for solar-powered hubs throughout Louisiana take big step forward. NOLA.com. https://www.nola.com/news/environment/big-step-forward-for-louisianas-community-lighthouses/article_beff7116-840e-11ee-8162-873115843c55.html 

  4. Zullo, R. (2022, December 31). After strain from another winter storm, experts say it’s time to fix the electric grid. Louisiana Illuminator. https://lailluminator.com/2022/12/31/as-another-winter-storm-strains-the-electric-grid-its-time-to-fix-transmission-experts-say/

  5. Roberts, D. (2020, June 20). A national US power grid would make electricity cheaper and cleaner. Vox. https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2020/6/20/21293952/renewable-energy-power-national-grid-transmission-microgrids

  6. Lawson, A. J. (2024, January 4). Electricity Transmission Provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Congressional Research Service. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IN/IN11981

  7. Karlin, S. (2023, October 18). Louisiana, Entergy New Orleans land big federal grants for electric grid. NOLA.com. https://www.nola.com/news/louisiana-gets-big-federal-money-to-bolster-electric-grid/article_f724bd86-6df6-11ee-afe6-7ffa188115c6.html 

  8. Queued Up: Characteristics of Power Plants Seeking Transmission Interconnection. (n.d.). Emp.lbl.gov; Energy Markets & Policy, Berkeley Lab. https://emp.lbl.gov/queues 

  9. Nuccitelli, D. (2022, October 11). Permitting: America’s next big climate conundrum. Yale Climate Connections. https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2022/10/permitting-americas-next-big-climate-conundrum/

Alysha Rashid
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