On sweltering days or during heat waves, households and businesses across Massachusetts run air conditioners and other cooling systems in order stay cool. This causes a spike in energy demand that adds stress to the electric grid (EPA, 2022).

At the same time, higher temperatures and periods of extreme heat reduce the efficiency and reliability of our energy systems. Power plants become less efficient at generating energy, transmission and distribution lines can’t transport as much electricity, and high temperatures can lead to damage, malfunctioning, and failure of transformers and power lines (MCCA, 2022, Volume II Appendix A, p. A76).

Together, all these factors increase the risk of rolling blackouts and power outages, which bring health and safety risks, business closures, transportation interruptions, and failure of other infrastructure systems that we rely on. Community members who don’t have access to backup power, who have fewer financial or other resources to adapt, and who face greater health risks from higher temperatures are likely to be most at risk. 

Guided Exploration
In this guided exploration, you’ll use the GEAR Infrastructure Map to understand how energy is distributed throughout your community, and which community members might be most impacted by disruptions and challenges such as increasing costs and power outages. Open the map and select a municipality to begin.

Expand the Climate Hazard Data group and turn on the Hot Spots layer.  Then expand the EJ and Other Priority Populations group, scroll to the bottom, and toggle on/off the Housing Cost Burdens and Rental Housing Units layers to get a sense of who might be impacted by increased cooling costs during heat waves. Generally, these households are less likely to have access to generators in the event of a power outage or may not have the authority to make energy efficiency improvements to their residence. Below are some considerations for discussion:

• How do people in neighborhoods with a high proportion of cost-burdened residents respond to distribution issues?
• Are these areas prioritized for power supply restoration in the event of outages?
• How long do different neighborhoods have to wait for power to be restored after a power outage?
• What have residents who are most affected by extreme heat stated as their top priorities for making sure residents stay safe and healthy during heat-related power outages?

If you have not explored some of these questions with your community or utility provider(s), now is a good time to reach out. If you are unsure which utility providers are responsible for the maintenance, resilience, and decision-making related to energy infrastructure in your community, expand the Utilities Information group in the GEAR map to check the layers Electricity Providers and Natural Gas Providers (one at a time). Additional questions for discussion include:

• What happens to energy service in your community (and surrounding communities) on extreme heat days?
• Has there been a heat-related power outage in recent years? If so, which neighborhoods were affected? How long did it last? What were the most significant ramifications?
• What kinds of interruptions do homes and businesses experience?

Read More About Related Impacts in the Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment:

• Damage to Electric Transmission and Distribution Infrastructure page 64 (top impact Statewide; Berkshires & Hilltowns; Greater Connecticut River Valley; Central; Eastern Inland; North & South Shores; Cape, Islands, & South Coast)

Extreme heat reduces the safety, resilience, and reliability of our transportation systems. Under higher temperatures, asphalt, concrete, and steel expand, leading to buckling, warping, and/or cracking of roadway surfaces, airport runways, rail lines, and bridge structures. Heat damage is a particular concern for the MBTA commuter rail and subway lines as well as for long distance freight and passenger rail lines across the state (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 69).

As infrastructure becomes more prone to damage or failure, we will likely see greater safety risks, higher maintenance and replacement costs, and more frequent transportation interruptions and closures—affecting both the ability of people to access jobs, schools, groceries, healthcare, and other critical needs as well as the ability to get food and other goods to stores. 

At the same time, higher temperatures reduce the effectiveness of our transportation networks in other ways. It becomes harder to walk or bike, particularly on routes without shade. It also becomes more difficult and less safe to take public transportation if there aren’t amenities—such as bus shelters, cooling in commuter rail or T stations, or water fountains—to help passengers manage the heat.

Both infrastructure failure and the challenges of using transportation networks in high heat will disproportionately impact the people who rely most on these systems—including residents that are unable to afford a personal vehicle, are unable to drive, or choose not to own a private vehicle and therefore have limited alternative options. In Massachusetts, environmental justice populations rely on transit more than the Commonwealth’s population as a whole, and thus investing in resilient public transportation options will be critical for building equitable community resilience (MCCA, 2022, Volume II, p. 131).

Guided Exploration:
In this guided exploration, you’ll use the GEAR Infrastructure Map to understand how heat affects different kinds of transit in your community, and which community members might be most impacted by disruptions and challenges such as inaccessible routes due to increased heat, public transportation disruptions, and roadway disruptions. Open the map and select a municipality to begin.

Turn on the Transportation Layers group and expand the EJ and Other Priority Populations group to toggle on/off the Without Access to a Personal Vehicle and Transportation Cost Burden layers (one at a time). This gives a sense of who might be most impacted by public transit disruptions, and which neighborhoods they inhabit. The higher the transportation cost index, the lower the cost of transportation in that neighborhood. Transportation costs may be low for a range of reasons, including greater access to public transportation and the density of homes, services, and jobs in the neighborhood and surrounding community.

Here are some additional questions for discussion:

• What happens to transportation services (both major roadways and public transit systems) on extreme heat days? Who is most affected, and how? Does heat impact use of alternate modes of transportation (e.g., walking, biking)?
• Is transportation infrastructure deteriorating more quickly due to extreme heat? Are additional maintenance costs necessary and being incorporated into capital budgets?
• Where should infrastructure resilience investments take place to best protect the most vulnerable residents?
• Are there additional infrastructure investments that should be made to best protect the most vulnerable residents?

Read More About Related Impacts in the Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment:

• Damage to Rails and Loss of Rail/Transit Service page 69 (top impact Statewide; Eastern Inland; Boston Harbor)
• Damage to Roads and Loss of Road Service page A68