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

Friday, August 15, 2003 in The Los Angeles Times

portrait of professional woman

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

Historic homes in St. Augustine, Florida.

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs

Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

March 18, 2025 - Newsweek

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands

The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

March 17, 2025 - The Wall Street Journal

Close-up of traffic congestion from behind cars on a freeway in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Conservatives’ Decongestion Pricing Flip-Flop

When it comes to solving traffic problems, the current federal administration is on track for failure, waste, and hypocrisy.

March 17, 2025 - Todd Litman

White CTA bus and elevated train against sunset sky in downtown Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago Transit Agencies on Brink of Major Crisis

Without additional funding, regional transit agencies will be forced to cut services by 40 percent.

15 minutes ago - Mass Transit

Blue and red oil pumpjack in field surrounded by grasses and wildflowers in rural Alberta, Canada.

Alberta’s Orphan Well Cleanup Plan Sparks Debate Over Use of Public Funds

Alberta’s upcoming plan to address nearly 80,000 abandoned oil wells has sparked controversy over the potential use of public funds, despite government claims that taxpayers won’t be footing the bill.

1 hour ago - Canadian Occupational Safety

Herd of cows standing in front of wind turbine in grassy field in Texas.

Renewable Energy Overtakes Coal for First Time

Solar and wind power generated close to a third of U.S. electricity supplies in 2024.

2 hours ago - Governing