EEI and Air Force form partnership to explore energy resilience planning

Edison Electric Institute (EEI) is working with the Department of the Air Force (DAF) to explore best practices for joint energy resilience planning between the two organizations.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by leaders at the two entities would facilitate DAF installations being done by EEI member companies. It would also establish a framework for the two organizations to identify opportunities to align the common energy goals of the DAF, its servicing electric companies, and nearby communities.

“Ensuring our installations have resilient, reliable access to electricity is critical to the DAF’s ability to remain combat ready in Great Power Competition, and mark my words, we will be ready,” Ravi Chaudhary, assistant secretary of the Air Force (Energy, Installations, and Environment), said. “But this is an all-hands on deck endeavor for the nation, and it takes a village—partnerships like these help us mitigate threats both within and outside the fence line to retain our competitive edge, and I am excited for the opportunity to collaborate on innovative solutions that benefit our bases and surrounding communities alike.”

The MOU was signed by Chaudhury and EEI President and CEO Dan Brouillette.

“The U.S. military is one of the largest electricity customers in the nation. Our partnership with the Department of the Air Force is vital to strengthening energy security and grid resilience and lays the foundation for joint energy resilience planning,” Brouillette said.

EEI’s member electric companies have a history of working with the Air Force to advance energy resilience, efficiency, and sustainability goals. This new partnership will leverage these relationships to facilitate cooperative conversations around energy resilience, emergency operations, and electric infrastructure improvements.

EEI represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies and its members provide electricity for nearly 250 million Americans.