In a proactive move coinciding with Climate Week 2024, PSEG Long Island and the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) have joined forces to publish a comprehensive Climate Change Resilience Plan (CCRP). This plan serves as a strategic roadmap to address the evolving weather patterns and their potential impacts on the region’s electrical infrastructure in the years to come.
The CCRP builds upon a decade of dedicated efforts by PSEG Long Island to fortify the electrical grid against extreme weather events. David Lyons, PSEG Long Island’s interim president and COO, emphasized the company’s commitment to reliability and resilience, stating, “From the day we started in 2014, PSEG Long Island has been making the improvements necessary to reduce and shorten outages when they do occur.” The CCRP represents a continuation of these efforts, addressing emerging risks associated with climate change.
John Rhodes, acting chief executive officer of LIPA, underscored the critical importance of proactive planning in the face of climate change. “When you understand the science and the forecasts, you understand how important it is to have proper plans in place to protect our electrical infrastructure,” he stated. “Our focus remains steady – combatting the effects of climate change to protect our local communities.”
The CCRP focuses on strengthening physical assets, including poles, transformers, switches, and lines, to enhance the grid’s resilience. The plan incorporates insights from the Climate Change Vulnerability Study (CCVS) and identifies adaptation measures that can be expanded upon or implemented to address identified gaps. PSEG Long Island has also incorporated climate change considerations into its existing planning, design, and operational practices.
This initiative represents a significant step toward ensuring the reliability and resilience of Long Island’s power infrastructure in the face of a changing climate. By embracing a proactive approach and investing in long-term solutions, PSEG Long Island and LIPA are demonstrating their commitment to safeguarding the community and ensuring its access to essential services.
