Implications of global climate change for the U.S. national power grid

Global climate change threatens to affect many aspects of human endeavor and quality of life, including, of course, in the United States. One such sector is the national power grid, which has been a prominent subject of concern in general with regard to reliability, expandability, and national security. These potential affects on higher-voltage longer-distance electric transmission lines stem from several sources, including desired reductions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, quests for economical electric power for population growth and commercial expansion, and desires for significant increases of renewable energy sources, notably wind and solar. This paper explores these affects and possible responses of the government and the utility industry to meet these challenges.