As the country grapples with accelerating consequences from extreme weather events, new regulatory frameworks are needed to guide utility investments for added resilience. The chain of events during the first half of 2021 — from the Texas freeze to the most severe wildfire season on record in the U.S. — is catalyzing unprecedented federal investment that mirrors the popular and political demand for more resilient energy systems.
This is where states can follow suit.
Thus far, responses to regional climate catastrophes typically follow a pattern. An extreme weather event occurs, placing the affected state on edge to the point of investigation and political response, then action is taken to remedy a future similar incident.
