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Due to international supply chain backlogs, electric utilities in the U.S. are struggling to receive ordered electric grid products in a timely manner, especially transformers. These delays are resulting in dangerously low stockpiles for new developments and replacement equipment, which threaten preparedness throughout the country, but especially in a state like Florida where hurricanes can severely disrupt the electric grid. 
 
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced a bill to establish an energy grid product manufacturing loan program at the U.S. Department of Energy to expand domestic production.     
 

• “Right now, Florida is uniquely vulnerable to storms and other natural disasters due to shortages of key energy grid components, like transformers. It is yet another example of the danger in our overreliance on foreign supply chains.

• “We need to prioritize production of these critical components at home, which will decrease our dependence on foreign nations and protect Floridians.” – Senator Rubio

The new loan program would be fully paid for by the rescission of unused appropriations, as recommended by the Government Accountability Office. This program would finance $8 billion in loan guarantees for the re-equipping, expansion, or establishment of domestic energy grid product and component manufacturing facilities in the United States. 
 
Flashback … In 2018, Hurricane Michael, a powerful Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 160 miles per hour, knocked out power to millions, with thousands of Floridians in the dark for weeks. In addition to snapped utility poles and downed wires, blown transformers had to be replaced by the hundreds all across Northwest Florida.