Ranking High Is Great, But Truth Be Told– All States Have Power Issues
Energy Demands Are Growing And Power Outages Are Becoming More Common. How Are You Going To Protect Your Livelihood?
How reliable is power in your home state? These days that’s a scary question. The answer might shock you! Demand for power is growing with the population and the dependence on devices, plus electric cars– yikes.
The grid can’t keep up with increased demand. Don’t forget to include weather, natural disasters and attacks on the power grid. Wonder if you can even depend on the infrastructure anymore?
The Department of Energy recently compiled a report to rank the reliability of each state’s power grid. The report highlights the number of minutes power was out for the average customer in a year, according to US News & World Report.
Ranking well is great, but everyone faces significant challenges today and more in the years to come. Where does your state rank?
Nebraska
- #4 in Best States Overall
- #5 in Infrastructure
- #6 in Energy
South Dakota
- #12 in Best States Overall
- #9 in Infrastructure
- #1 in Energy
Illinois
- #36 in Best States Overall
- #19 in Infrastructure
- #17 in Energy
Delaware
- #18 in Best States Overall
- #29 in Infrastructure
- #25 in Energy
Florida
- #10 in Best States Overall
- #14 in Infrastructure
- #22 in Energy
Connecticut
- #16 in Best States Overall
- #24 in Infrastructure
- #43 in Energy
Rhode Island
- #32 in Best States Overall
- #48 in Infrastructure
- #39 in Energy
Nevada
- #38 in Best States Overall
- #8 in Infrastructure
- #9 in Energy
Arizona
- #37 in Best States Overall
- #17 in Infrastructure
- #13 in Energy
Iowa
- #7 in Best States Overall
- #11 in Infrastructure
- #4 in Energy
Maryland
- #22 in Best States Overall
- #39 in Infrastructure
- #27 in Energy
New York
- #20 in Best States Overall
- #28 in Infrastructure
- #32 in Energy
Minnesota
- #5 in Best States Overall
- #1 in Infrastructure
- #11 in Energy
New Jersey
- #19 in Best States Overall
- #35 in Infrastructure
- #36 in Energy
North Dakota
- #14 in Best States Overall
- #2 in Infrastructure
- #5 in Energy
Wisconsin
- #8 in Best States Overall
- #27 in Infrastructure
- #19 in Energy
Massachusetts
- #11 in Best States Overall
- #42 in Infrastructure
- #45 in Energy
Missouri
- #30 in Best States Overall
- #33 in Infrastructure
- #24 in Energy
South Carolina
- #42 in Best States Overall
- #31 in Infrastructure
- #21 in Energy
Utah
- #1 in Best States Overall
- #4 in Infrastructure
- #15 in Energy
Colorado
- #15 in Best States Overall
- #21 in Infrastructure
- #20 in Energy
Kansas
- #27 in Best States Overall
- #7 in Infrastructure
- #10 in Energy
Hawaii
- #31 in Best States Overall
- #37 in Infrastructure
- #48 in Energy
Wyoming
- #26 in Best States Overall
- #12 in Infrastructure
- #12 in Energy
Oregon
- #23 in Best States Overall
- #3 in Infrastructure
- #2 in Energy
Alabama
- #44 in Best States Overall
- #36 in Infrastructure
- #16 in Energy
North Carolina
- #17 in Best States Overall
- #25 in Infrastructure
- #23 in Energy
New Hampshire
- #6 in Best States Overall
- #30 in Infrastructure
- #41 in Energy
Georgia
- #21 in Best States Overall
- #15 in Infrastructure
- #26 in Energy
Kentucky
- #39 in Best States Overall
- #23 in Infrastructure
- #29 in Energy
Pennsylvania
- #40 in Best States Overall
- #46 in Infrastructure
- #34 in Energy
New Mexico
- #47 in Best States Overall
- #44 in Infrastructure
- #18 in Energy
Indiana
- #29 in Best States Overall
- #26 in Infrastructure
- #33 in Energy
Ohio
- #34 in Best States Overall
- #32 in Infrastructure
- #35 in Energy
California
- #33 in Best States Overall
- #34 in Infrastructure
- #46 in Energy
Montana
- #25 in Best States Overall
- #18 in Infrastructure
- #7 in Energy
Oklahoma
- #43 in Best States Overall
- #22 in Infrastructure
- #14 in Energy
Texas
- #35 in Best States Overall
- #13 in Infrastructure
- #30 in Energy
Tennessee
- #24 in Best States Overall
- #16 in Infrastructure
- #31 in Energy
Washington
- #2 in Best States Overall
- #6 in Infrastructure
- #3 in Energy
Idaho
- #3 in Best States Overall
- #10 in Infrastructure
- #8 in Energy
Virginia
- #13 in Best States Overall
- #38 in Infrastructure
- #38 in Energy
Michigan
- #41 in Best States Overall
- #43 in Infrastructure
- #40 in Energy
Arkansas
- #45 in Best States Overall
- #40 in Infrastructure
- #37 in Energy
Mississippi
- #48 in Best States Overall
- #47 in Infrastructure
- #44 in Energy
Maine
- #28 in Best States Overall
- #41 in Infrastructure
- #28 in Energy
Louisiana
- #50 in Best States Overall
- #49 in Infrastructure
- #47 in Energy
Alaska
- #49 in Best States Overall
- #45 in Infrastructure
- #50 in Energy
Vermont
- #9 in Best States Overall
- #20 in Infrastructure
- #42 in Energy
West Virginia
- #46 in Best States Overall
- #50 in Infrastructure
- #49 in Energy
Power Grid Challenges Are Only Getting Worse
No matter what state you call home, keep in mind, infrastructure and power grid challenges are only getting worse. Ranks are simply that! This list can best be summed up when comparing to a classroom. The top grade/rank is probably a B+ and the rest of the class is getting Cs, Ds, and Fs. They will not change much, but the challenges our energy systems face are escalating all the time. Make your own luck and back up your business with standby power. See our full inventory or call (877) 866-6895 and ask questions. We are glad to match your needs with the right unit for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How is power grid reliability measured?
Power grid reliability is typically measured by the average number of minutes customers experience power outages in a year. This data is compiled by organizations like the Department of Energy and analyzed to rank states based on their infrastructure and energy performance.
2. What factors contribute to power outages?
Power outages can result from various factors, including:
- Increased energy demand due to population growth and technology use
- Severe weather events (storms, hurricanes, etc.)
- Natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, etc.)
- Aging infrastructure and maintenance issues
- Cybersecurity threats or physical attacks on power facilities
3. Which states rank highest in power grid reliability?
States like Nebraska, South Dakota, and Minnesota consistently rank high in power grid reliability, with strong infrastructure and energy performance metrics. South Dakota, for example, ranks #1 in Energy reliability.
4. What can individuals do to prepare for power outages?
Individuals can take several steps to prepare for potential power outages:
- Invest in backup power solutions like generators or battery systems
- Create an emergency kit with essential supplies (water, food, flashlight, etc.)
- Stay informed about local weather conditions and power grid updates
- Develop a communication plan with family and neighbors
5. How can businesses protect themselves from power outages?
Businesses can protect themselves by:
- Implementing backup power systems to ensure continuity of operations
- Regularly maintaining and testing backup power equipment
- Developing a business continuity plan that includes procedures for power outages
- Training employees on emergency protocols
6. What role do renewable energy sources play in improving grid reliability?
Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, can enhance grid reliability by diversifying the energy supply and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. They can also contribute to a more resilient grid by providing local power generation and reducing transmission losses.
7. How can state governments improve power grid reliability?
State governments can improve power grid reliability by:
- Investing in infrastructure upgrades and maintenance
- Encouraging the integration of renewable energy sources
- Implementing smart grid technologies for better monitoring and management
- Developing policies that promote energy efficiency and conservation
8. What should I do if I experience a power outage?
If you experience a power outage:
- Check your circuit breakers and electrical panels to rule out local issues
- Report the outage to your utility company
- Stay informed through local news or utility updates
- Avoid using candles for light; opt for flashlights instead
- Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed to preserve food