01/29/2024

Brown, Ohio Municipal Electric Association Discuss Plans to Prevent Future Power Outages

They want to strengthen the transformer supply chain

On Jan. 24, 2024, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) hosted a news conference call with Michael Beirne, vice president of external affairs at American Municipal Power and executive director of the Ohio Municipal Electric Association, to discuss the bipartisan push to strengthen the U.S. transformer supply chain, an important part of energy grids, after the Department of Energy proposed a new rule that would force manufacturers to rely on foreign imports for a key component needed for the production of transformers.

Recently, Brown introduced the Distribution Transformer Efficiency & Supply Chain Reliability Act of 2024. The new bipartisan legislation would protect Ohio manufacturing jobs in the energy industry and help prevent power outages by fixing the new Department of Energy rule that threatens U.S. transformer manufacturing. The legislation would also set realistic energy efficiency standards that help stabilize domestic transformer manufacturing and protect U.S. energy independence.

“This time of year, Ohioans know all too well how important reliable electricity is. When storms knock out transformers and power lines, it takes too many communities too long to get the power back on,” said Brown. “Transformers are crucial to our electric grid, and too many power companies and co-ops are forced to wait too long to get new transformers when they stop working. A reliable supply of efficient transformers, made with American materials, is critical to keeping the power on and keeping energy costs under control for Ohioans.”

Please select this link to read the press release from Brown's office.