Bill Gates Promotes Transmission Development

I grew up in a liberal enclave. I think something like 78% of my hometown voted for John Kerry in 2004. I’m sure that number was considerably higher in 2016 and 2020.  This is all to say that I know Democrats, the political group that pushes the energy transition conversation in our country. 

Since the mid-2000's, or maybe even earlier, that conversation has centered around renewable generation, electrification, and energy conservation. All three topics are frequent dinner party topics, discussed with excitement and zeal. Remember South Park’s San Francisco smug alert episode a long time ago? 

If you know anything about energy and the grid, however, you’ll notice that something conspicuously absent from the popular conversation on climate change mitigation is transmission. We love talking about electric cars and solar farms, but we don’t pay much attention to the practical question of how to connect them.

Our ignorance of transmission’s importance has serious consequences in a democracy like ours. An enlightened technocrat, like Mayor Pete for example, can’t just snap his fingers and start a massive transmission build out. 

Luckily, transmission’s PR fanclub has something to be excited about now. That something is Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft and one of the biggest names in altruism and forward thinking. Just to remind everyone, he basically predicted COVID-19 and his charity organization has done wonders for life expectancy in the global south. Now, in addition to promoting advanced nuclear, Gates is ringing the bell for power lines. This article in Popular Mechanic explains the billionaire’s intentions. 

This is serious. Gates’ foundation and various other endeavors have the capability to push technology and legislation in the field. Perhaps more importantly, however, is the attention Gates himself will bring to the issue.