Veterans in Energy & Infrastructure
All I want for Veterans Day is more BESS
Every year around Veterans Day, I’m reminded of the promise my peers and I made to defend this country. For many of us, that commitment didn’t end when we took off the uniform. Today, our mission continues here at home, strengthening the systems that keep our families, communities, and nation secure. One of those systems, maybe the most critical, is our energy grid.
When Winter Storm Uri hit, my own family learned the hard way how fragile that lifeline can be. After that storm, I invested in a home battery system and solar array to keep the lights on no matter what. It’s given my family peace of mind, knowing that when the grid falters, we won’t. But I also recognize that not everyone has the means or opportunity to do that. That’s why grid-scale battery storage, large energy systems that can power entire neighborhoods and more, matters so much for Texas’s grid security.
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) don’t just store power; they store peace of mind. They capture excess electricity when energy is abundant or demand is low and release it back when demand spikes or other resources are not available, whether it’s a morning or evening, during a heatwave or a winter storm. That makes our grid more reliable and resilient. It keeps critical infrastructure running and ensures our families are safe when the unexpected happens.
In the past year, Texas has made incredible progress reducing blackout risks, from 12% in summer 2024 to under 1% this past summer. That improvement didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of smart investment in technology and infrastructure, including batteries that strengthen the grid’s backbone. And, data shows that batteries are also lowering prices in Texas for the grid operator’s reliability services, which is good for consumers. As Texas continues to grow — and as more of our economy depends on 24/7 energy, from hospitals to data centers, we’ll need even more battery systems to keep pace.
A single grid level battery project around 200-megawatts can support about 40,000 homes during times of peak grid demand. That’s not some academic theory; it’s an operational reality happening right now in communities like Baytown that are considering new battery installations. These projects are clean, efficient, and safe neighbors, built under new laws and industry best practices that ensure fire safety, recycling, and proper decommissioning. They also bring real benefits back to the community: millions in new tax revenue for schools, emergency services, and road repairs.
As a veteran, I see battery storage through a national security lens. Energy security is national security. Every time we make our grid more resilient, we make our nation more secure, less vulnerable to blackouts, cyberattacks, and foreign supply shocks. That’s not a red or blue issue. It’s an American issue.
So this Veterans Day, as we honor those who’ve worn the uniform, I hope we also honor the duty we still share: to build a stronger, safer, more resilient America. Battery storage is part of that mission, a quiet, flexible, powerful force helping to strengthen the grid, deliver peace of mind, and support greater energy independence.