Natalia Maxham
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Michael Craig
Co-Presenter:
Research Mentor School/College/Department: SEAS / SNRE
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Session 3 – 1:40pm – 2:30 pm
Room: League Ballroom
Authors:
Presenter: 85
Abstract
Despite ample attention being drawn to measures taken or not taken in preventing further climate change, little is known of what is or needs to be done in response to existing and developing environmental impact. So that electricity demand can continue to be met, utilities must account for changes in climate through strategies such as system hardening or by relocating. Integrated Resource Planning reports (IRPs) from various utility companies across the U.S. were found using search engines as well as company websites. A list of key search terms were generated to facilitate finding relevant information. Information and data on adaptation strategies were pulled from the IRPs and sorted into categories such as “frameworkâ€, “future climate change dataâ€, and “adaptation plansâ€. Analyzing the data collected shows while many utilities attempt to take preventative action on climate change (by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution), most fail to investigate the impact that climate change will have on them in the future. The IRPs show that utilities are not adequately prepared to face the impacts of their carbon emissions. Many fail to even acknowledge “climate change†or “extreme weather†as they model expected demand for the next 20 years. These findings show that many utilities in the U.S. have failed to plan for climate change impacts. More must be done to strategically address these impacts.
Environmental Studies
