From snowplows to the grid: Diesel powers winter-storm response

For the 20 states and millions of residents in the eye of the massive winter storm that dumped a foot of snow and ice across 1,300 miles in late January, one technology stood out for its role in preparedness, response and recovery.

From the statehouse in Arkansas to the zoos in Texas, diesel power is working to keep people, animals and property safe from the winter storm.

Diesel engines are so ubiquitous, we take them for granted, powering our delivery trucks, farm tractors and construction machines.

But when the stakes are high, and a massive winter storm is on the way, our nation’s leaders instinctively rely on diesel power because they know it works.

This winter storm was unprecedented in its size and scope of impact across the U.S. with precipitation of all types followed by extreme cold.

Snow removal, utility restoration, motorist and stranded person rescues, and providing backup power to business and the utility grid were several of the ways in which diesel power came to the aid and helped protect public health and safety.

Federal, state and local governments took many types of action in advance.

All the actions were based on ensuring public health and safety, and nearly all relied on diesel power.

• U.S. DOE Secretary Chris Wright issued a letter to grid operators in the early morning of Jan. 24 to make available more power-generating assets—including backup generators deployed at data centers—to keep the grid stable throughout the storm and keep homes powered up and heat on.

• In Arkansas, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders deployed the Arkansas National Guard and their Humvees and other high clearance diesel-powered vehicles to assist in transporting stranded motorists.

• Thousands of public power-utility workers were deployed to the affected regions in the Southeast with bucket trucks, cranes, backup generators and construction machines, nearly all powered by diesel, in a mutual-aid effort to clear downed wires, reset utility poles and restore electric power.

• In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, crews relied on high-capacity diesel-powered snow-removal equipment for airport runway clearing.  

• In Maryland, Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport crews used about 60 specialized advanced machines and equipment to clear runways and taxiways during the storm, including massive blowers and tow plows.

• In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul noted over 2,000 plow trucks, loaders and other equipment were ready to deploy for the storm, nearly all of those powered by diesel.

• Telecommunications providers like T-Mobile announced readiness plans that included backup generators.

• In Texas, storm preparations at the Fort Worth and Houston zoos included fueling and positioning backup generators to ensure animal safety in the event of power outages.

For more information on the role of advanced diesel and other engine technology, visit enginetechforum.org.