According to Department of Energy information, the U.S. has more blackouts than any developed world nation. This is due to its aging electric grid.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s 2015 report showed that at least 70 percent of its power transformers are more than 25 years old, 60 percent of the circuit breakers are a minimum of 30 years old and 70 percent of the transmission lines were at least 25 years old.

In 2003, a tree branch caused a power line to fall in Ohio, which resulted in more than 50 million people in the U.S. and Canada to suffer from cascading blackouts. If the system was weak, overwhelmed and vulnerable back then and no upgrades have been made since then, imagine what it’s like now.

Weather related blackouts cost the US around $30 billion in lost wages, spoiled inventory and grid repairs EVERY YEAR!

Six of California’s 10 most destructive fires have occurred in the last two years. They’ve also killed more than 120 people and resulted in a shutdown of major sections of the electrical grid.

After faulty PG&E equipment was determined to have caused the California’s most destructive disaster in history, the state’s utilities now plan to cut power to transmission lines on windy days when wildfire season is in full effect. Disruptions are expected to leave millions of people in the dark and we are not prepared.

Though it stops one problem, it means California residents need to innovate or live with regular blackouts… not just for hours, but days.

When San Diego Gas & Electric’s equipment sparked three huge fires in 2007, the utility sought for permission to turn off power in high-risk conditions. Permission was granted! And, in response to the overwhelming 2017 fires, the shut-off requirements were extended to other investor-owned utilities.

Once power has been turned off, the companies must investigate all de-energized lines, and doing this can take days even after weather conditions have gotten better. Local officials, residents, and business owners were upset when both Southern California Edison and PG&E turned off the power, shutting down schools, businesses and stores.