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In Michigan, The Power Goes Out And It’s 1840.
Last Monday, at about 6:30, just as I was about to prepare dinner, the lights went out. Then they came back on again. Then, out, on and out. For 49 hours.
Anytime the power goes out in this state, it’s a crapshoot as to how long it stays off. Michigan’s power grid is antiquated and poorly maintained, yet Detroit Edison and Consumers Power say, “We’re converting to solar and sustainable energy.”
Which, of course, I say, bullshit. Edison, unlike utilities in other states, refuses to upgrade their grid or begin the process of burying lines underground. They refuse to tree-trim problem areas around ravines and rivers. Yet, because they are publicly-traded, they claim their first obligation is to their shareholders.
Not to their customers, 80% of whom live in the seven counties that make up Southeast Michigan. Upwards of 800,000 lost power, some didn’t have restoration until Saturday.
In 2003, in August, someone in Ohio pulled a Homer Simpson and a blackout happened for about two days. It affected millions of people across much of the Northeast and Midwest, including Ontario.
But the difference between then and now is like before electricity and after. In the aftermath of the 2003 blackout, a friend said, “just wait, next time it happens, It’ll be in the winter and…
