Power Outages Increase in 2013

Luke 21:11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

Editor’s Note: In May 2011, the Wall Street Journal published an article titled “Pentagon: Cyber Attacks Can Count as Acts of War.” The article began, “The Pentagon has concluded that computer sabotage coming from another country can constitute an act of war, a finding that for the first time opens the door for the U.S. to respond using traditional military force.”

A new report shows that power outages in the United States increased 15% in 2013.

The Eaton Blackout Tracker Annual Report showed that for the 5th straight year California lead the nation in power outages.  Texas finished second followed by Michigan.  The average length of a power outage last year was 86 minutes leading to an average cost per blackout of $690,200.

“The Blackout Tracker Annual Report illustrates the scope and severity of power outages across the country and the serious consequences that can arise for businesses when the lights go out,” said Mike DeCamp, senior marketing communications manager for Eaton’s Power Quality Division. “With electrical power outages, surges and spikes estimated to cost the U.S. economy $150 billion, it’s more important than ever for companies of all sizes to invest in reliable power backup solutions.”

The White House weighed in on the impact of the 2013 blackouts as a way to encourage people to have a backup power source.  The White House said the blackouts caused by harsh weather cost the economy up to $33 billion a year.

The report also included some of the wackiest reasons for blackouts.  In Redondo Beach, Caliifornia, wild parrots who roosted on an overhead line knocked out power to 6,100 customers for over three hours.  A man who went on a rampage with a bulldozer in Clallam County, Washington took out a 70 foot electric pole and left thousands in the dark for hours.

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