blackouts

Reuters, The New York Times, AP, ABC News – Rolling power blackouts have hit California, in what may be a warning for the rest of the country. Families have been asked to turn off their Christmas lights, businesses have had to shut down. Soon people may find themselves sitting in the dark at home. On some days, as much as one third of the electricity needed during the peak hours of 4 to 7 p.m. has not been available. Utility executives warn that the states? electrical system is on the verge of collapse. “People are in a heap of trouble,” said S. David Freeman, of the LA Department of Water and Power. “This shouldn?t happen this time of year.” Hours before Governor Gray Davis was set to turn on the lights for the states?read more