Winter storm demonstrates importance of diverse energy sources

Significant snow, wind, and brutally cold temperatures impacted Nebraska in January. Given the frequency of extreme weather events experienced across the U.S. during the past several years, preparing for emergencies is an important consideration for utilities and regulators. Extreme weather events have an outsized impact on the electric grid and show the necessity of protecting its integrity and resiliency.

Between Jan. 8 and 17, large portions of Nebraska spent more than 80 consecutive hours at temperatures below zero, much of that with wind chill at 35 to 40 degrees below zero. The wintry mi...