President Joe Biden is set to visit Florida on Sunday to assess the damage caused by the recent back-to-back hurricanes and announce federal funding aimed at strengthening the state’s electrical grid. The visit comes in the wake of Hurricane Milton, which devastated large parts of the state last week, particularly in St. Petersburg, one of the hardest-hit cities. Biden will highlight $612 million in funding for six projects managed by the Department of Energy in the south-eastern United States, with two specific projects in Florida receiving a combined $94 million in federal support.
The funding will go toward improving the resilience of Florida’s electrical infrastructure, which has been severely tested by recent extreme weather events. Gainesville Regional Utilities, one of the recipients of the funding, will use the money to harden its infrastructure and improve recovery times during power outages. The utility plans to deploy self-healing devices and advanced tools that can more efficiently dispatch field teams during outages, helping to mitigate the effects of increasingly extreme storms. This initiative reflects the Biden administration’s broader commitment to making long-term investments in the nation’s electric grid, particularly in areas vulnerable to climate-related disasters.
Another key project, in collaboration with Florida Power and Light, will see the private utility technology developer Switched Source deploy a new system called Phase-EQ. This system aims to optimize power flow in distribution circuits, unlocking more than 200 megawatts of additional system capacity and improving overall reliability for communities that are most prone to extended power outages. These projects are part of Biden’s strategy to modernize infrastructure across the country while addressing the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters.
Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida as a Category 3 storm on Wednesday evening, causing significant destruction and loss of life. At least 16 people have been killed, and over a million residents remain without power. The storm’s impact has prompted a swift response from both federal and state authorities, with President Biden speaking to several state and local officials, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Despite political differences, Biden noted that DeSantis has been “very cooperative” in coordinating disaster relief efforts. The two leaders are expected to meet during Biden’s visit, if the governor is available.
The federal government’s focus on rebuilding and reinforcing Florida’s infrastructure highlights the need for increased investment in climate resilience, especially as the state faces more frequent and severe storms due to climate change. With ongoing recovery efforts and federal support, Florida is working to rebuild its communities, while Biden’s administration continues to prioritize climate adaptation and sustainable infrastructure improvements across the nation.
