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Tom Grech.<\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of the Queens Chamber of Commerce<\/p>\n
While many New Yorkers were trying to stay cool during the recent heatwave ahead of the July 4 holiday, nearly 10,000 Queens residents lost power<\/a>. At the same time, millions were asked to reduce their electricity use by raising their thermostats, turning off lights and avoiding energy-intensive appliances. It was another reminder that as temperatures rise and demand for electricity grows, our energy infrastructure must keep pace.<\/p>\n This heatwave, which wasn\u2019t the first of the year and certainly won\u2019t be the last, exposed the challenges facing our current power grid. The reality is that New York\u2019s energy infrastructure is being asked to do more than ever before. As our population grows, businesses expand and electricity powers more of our daily lives, we need a grid that is reliable, resilient and built for the future.<\/p>\n These concerns aren\u2019t hypothetical. New York\u2019s grid operator has warned that New York City faces some of its lowest reliability margins in years, underscoring the need to strengthen our energy infrastructure before small problems become much larger ones.<\/p>\n For Queens businesses, reliable electricity isn\u2019t a luxury \u2014 it\u2019s essential. Restaurants can\u2019t keep food cold, retailers can\u2019t process payments, manufacturers can\u2019t keep production moving and offices can\u2019t welcome employees. Every outage means lost revenue, disrupted operations and uncertainty for employers and workers alike.<\/p>\n A reliable supply of electricity is critical to every business \u2013 whether it\u2019s a large manufacturing facility or a small corner deli. Yet what has become abundantly clear is that the power grid serving Queens is in need of significant upgrades.<\/p>\n