Will the lights stay on - Predictions about the US electrical grid

[Sean Donelan]

A selection of postive and negative outlooks for the reliability of the
north american electric power grid.  George Bush, Jr. has cited the growth
of the Internet as one cause for power shortages.

  "Electric system resources will be adequate to meet projected electricity
  demand in North America this winter. Of course, extreme weather conditions
  and unexpected equipment problems may produce demands that exceed generation
  and transmission margins"
source: ftp://www.nerc.com/pub/sys/all_updl/docs/pubs/winter2000.pdf

 "Californians are getting a two-fold warning at the first sign of cold
  weather: The state says there may be blackouts and a major utility is
  warning of sharply higher bills."
source: http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20001115/us/california_power_woes_2.html

 "Barring excessive heat, California should have enough electricity supply
  to meet its demand next summer, according to new -- and disputed --
  projections from the California Energy Commission."
source: http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/sddt/20001121/lo/optimistic_electricity_forecast_says_there_s_enough_juice_for_summer_1.html

 "Responding to concerns about deterioration of the U.S. electric power grid,
  Congress within the next five years will enact legislation mandating minimum
  standards for reducing downtime and improving system reliability, a panel
  of utility industry analysts and journalists predicted here this week."
source: http://www.ces.com/experts_predict.html