EIA provides new website tool to keep users informed during hurricane season

SOURCE: Energy Information Administration (EIA)

With peak hurricane season approaching, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is introducing interactive maps that combine real-time data feeds from the National Hurricane Center with more than 20 map layers showing the nation’s energy infrastructure and resources. This new tool, available around the clock on the EIA website, allows industry, energy analysts, government decision makers, and the American public to better see and understand the potential impact of a storm.

“This new mapping capability combines detailed energy infrastructure information with real-time tropical storm information from the National Hurricane Center,” said EIA Administrator Adam Sieminski. “This is a great example of technology providing better service to the American public.”

Every year, hurricanes and other extreme weather events threaten life and property. Hurricanes also affect the nation’s energy infrastructure, especially when storm paths traverse offshore production rigs and pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico, coastal refineries, power plants, and energy import and export sites.

The new maps are at http://www.eia.gov/special/disruptions/. Right now, the public can see the current predicted path of tropical storm Chantal, moving from the Caribbean’s Leeward Islands toward the Atlantic coast of Florida. As the National Hurricane Center revises its predictions, the maps will be instantly updated.

The product described in this press release was prepared by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy. By law, EIA’s data, analysis, and forecasts are independent of approval by any other officer or employee of the United States Government. The views in the product and press release therefore should not be construed as representing those of the Department of Energy or other federal agencies.

EIA Program Contact: Mark Elbert, 202-586-1185, Mark.Elbert@eia.gov

EIA Press Contact: Jonathan Cogan, 202-586-8719, jonathan.cogan@eia.gov