electricity

Inflation eased slightly in August thanks to falling gasoline prices, but the cost of many essentials continues to climb, including soaring power bills that are straining family budgets.

A heavy duty commercial electric mower with long-lasting batteries can cost nearly $30,000, more than three times what a comparable gas-powered machine sells for.

The infrastructure package sets aside billions for the power grid. That may not be enough to reshape a system not designed for the extreme weather brought about by a warming planet.

Entergy failed to rebuild a stronger system after hurricanes repeatedly damaged its electric grid. Then Hurricane Ida knocked out power for more than a week in the middle of a heat wave.

The infrastructure bill moving through Congress includes billions of dollars to modernize the electric grid. One of its goals is to make the system less vulnerable during severe weather.

Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill mandating that ambitious goal on Monday. He also issued an executive order calling for statewide carbon neutrality by the same year.

Homeland Security and the FBI have blamed Russia for a series of cyberattacks on U.S. power plants. The industry is stepping up efforts to protect the electric grid.

Few people can demand what kind of electricity they get. But Microsoft and Facebook, which operate huge, power-hungry data centers, are trying to green up the electricity grid with their buying power.