Scott Carlberg

Super storms are in the news. Hurricanes, a polar vortex and record-breaking heat. These weather phenomena are not only bad for humans. They are energy disasters. It's time to modernize and harden the grid.

Public meetings are a chance for the public to weigh in on important topics. They're also a chance to listen to what others have to say.

The nation's power grid is old and starting to fall apart. But just how bad is it? The American Society of Civil Engineers gives our energy infrastructure a C-minus grade. Commentator Scott Carlberg says the grid reminds him of his 1966 Ford Mustang. It was a state-of-the-art sports car... 58 years ago.

Officials in both Kansas and Missouri are looking for ways to upgrade big power transmission lines within and across state lines. Commentator Scott Carlberg says the main concern is not so much the physical structures, but the process and the politics behind building them.

We all have a role to play in becoming more energy efficient. As individuals and as a society, the decisions we make will affect our planet and our wallets. Some of those decisions involve the buildings we have yet to build.

Kansas is producing more renewable energy than ever before. So is the nation. Commentator Scott Carlberg says that's great, but we need a smarter power grid.