With the power grid facing increased threats, the Pennsylvania Utility Commission is preparing for the worst-case scenario.
They’re known as “Black Sky” events, which are long-term power outages that can be caused by things like extreme weather.
Gladys Brown Dutrieulle is the chair of the PUC and she says they are working constantly with local governments to prepare for these events.
“We routinely practice and do tabletop exercises, which are also very important,” Dutrieulle said. “We like to emphasize that we need to be prepared for something like this, not deal with it while we’re in the middle of an emergency.”
The PUC has also put together a steering committee to help prepare—and that includes practicing table top exercises this fall.