Communities across the central United States are facing a harsh and dangerous reality: extreme weather events have caused all of the last decade's biggest blackouts, each time leaving hundreds of thousands of customers without power at the very moment it was needed most.
As climate change can exacerbate extreme events like thunderstorms, hurricane-driven rain, and snowstorms in the region, the need for science-based, proactive grid modernization is more pressing than ever. The responsibility to keep the lights on amidst this climate reality—and ensure that underlying energy injustices are not perpetuated—falls particularly on utilities, regional transmission organizations, and state leaders.
On this topic
Blog post
The Road to True Grid Resilience is Paved with Science and Community Voice
The reality of climate change is that we know enough to act.
Blog post
What a Decade of Outages Teaches Us About Where Resilience Must Begin
For the past ten years, the electricity grid in the central United States has been telling us a story quietly, consistently, and honestly, in the dark.
Blog post
The 10 Worst Power Outages in the Central United States Since 2020
Grid resilience has been strained repeatedly over the past decade—with outages again and again followed by repair costs, again and again.
Related resources
Report
Driving Towards a Clean Grid
Integrating bidirectional vehicles into California's grid can reduce the projected costs needed for reaching the State's clean energy goals.
Explainer
Hurricanes and Climate Change
Increasingly destructive hurricanes are putting a growing number of people and communities at risk.
Activist Resource
Statements on Climate Change from the US National Academy of Sciences
Members of the National Academy of Sciences have repeatedly called for climate action. This page includes 3 of their open letters on climate change.
Video
UCS: What We Do
Breathtaking imagery from photographer Daniel Beltrá showcases the range of issues that UCS works on.