U.S. Power Grid Infrastructure Antiquated: Failure Is No Surprise

Energy experts have been warning for years that the US energy grid infrastructure is antiquated, and NIMBYism has prevented many new substations from being built.

1 minute read

August 15, 2003, 8:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen

"The cascading power outages in the Northeast on Thursday underscore what energy experts have been warning about for years: The system can go down anywhere at any time... A 2000 study by Cambridge Energy Research Associates, an international consulting firm, concluded that the North American grid system was overstressed by increasing demand and plagued by gridlock... In addition, vigorous community opposition the not-in-my-backyard syndrome has kept new transmission lines from being built. A transmission line proposed for the San Diego area, for example, was recently shot down by the California Public Utilities Commission after much public protest."

Thanks to Chris Steins

FULL STORY: Outdated Power Grid's Failure Not a Surprise

Friday, August 15, 2003 in The Los Angeles Times

Infrastructure United States

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.