By: Kendall Smith, Induron Power Market Manager
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) recently released its 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, and the results are alarming. The energy sector received a D+ rating, a decline from its 2021 rating of C-. According to ASCE, a D rating signifies infrastructure that is in fair to poor condition, mostly below standard, and approaching the end of its service life. It also indicates widespread deterioration, serious concerns about condition and capacity, and a strong risk of failure.
Let that sink in. Imagine getting a C- on your report card, only to see your grade drop even further to a D+ four years later. This isn’t just a hypothetical scenario–it’s the reality of our national electric grid. Despite its crucial role in modern life, maintenance and upgrades are failing to keep pace with deterioration.
Consider this: the U.S. power grid consists of well over a million structures, and yet only about 5,000 are being addressed each year. At that rate, it would take centuries to replace them all.
The alternative? A proactive approach that prioritizes protecting and maintaining existing structures before they reach critical failure. Replacing the entire grid would cost trillions, but targeted, strategic upgrades can significantly extend the life of our infrastructure at a fraction of the cost.
Adding to the urgency of this issue is the accelerating rate of corrosion. With rising temperatures and increased moisture due to climate change, the degradation of our infrastructure is happening faster than ever before. This means the window for preventative action is closing rapidly.
The good news? Solutions exist. We at Induron Protective Coatings provide high-performance, long-lasting coatings that safeguard vital infrastructure from corrosion and environmental damage. Our specialized coatings are designed to extend the lifespan of transmission and distribution structures, reducing the need for costly replacements and ensuring the reliability of our energy grid.
The bottom line is clear: without significant intervention, the reliability of our power grid will continue to decline, leading to more failures, increased costs, and potential widespread outages. We must act now to protect this critical infrastructure!
At Induron, we stand ready to help utilities and infrastructure managers extend the life of their assets and strengthen the grid for future generations. The time for action is now. Let’s invest in our infrastructure before it’s too late. Contact us today to learn more!