A sufficient and reliable energy supply is crucial to the safety, livability, and future growth of the region. Electricity and natural gas infrastructure delivers power to every resident, business, government agency, and critical infrastructure site across the region, 24 hours a day, and seven days a week.
As existing infrastructure ages and the region’s population grows, energy infrastructure will need to be replaced, upgraded, and expanded. Policy and technology changes, as well as growing demand for more clean and reliable power, may also drive investment in new energy infrastructure. COG is working with the local governments, energy utilities, and other stakeholders in the region to address energy infrastructure needs and to build the energy systems required to ensure the region’s continued growth and prosperity.
Climate change and extreme weather disruptions, as well as physical and cyber-attacks, pose significant threats to the region’s energy system and reliability. COG is working with state and local governments, power companies, the military, critical infrastructure managers, emergency preparedness staff, and other stakeholders to prepare for, monitor, and mitigate energy deficiencies and disruptions. Specific focus areas include energy assurance planning, microgrid planning and design, and grid hardening. COG’s energy security work is supported by the Urban Area Security Initiative, a Department of Homeland Security program to enhance regional preparedness and coordinate emergency prevention, protection, response, and recovery in major metropolitan areas.
MWCOG Energy Infrastructure Primer
The Primer provides an overview of the regions electric, natural gas and non-utility energy infrastructure; including information on the main providers and their infrastructure, such as pipelines, main wires, generation plants, and storage.
State of the Region: Infrastructure Report 2015
Report provides an in-depth look at the infrastructure systems at the heart of the region, and their funding needs.
Integrated Community, Energy, Task Force Reports
This report describes potential opportunities to facilitate implementation of Community Energy Systems (CES) through policies and regulations in the COG region, examples of policies elsewhere, and recommends best practice strategies for consideration.