Widespread power outages hit Moscow

[AlGore-08.com]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apeurope_story.asp?category=1103&slug=Moscow%20Power%20Outage

MOSCOW -- Electricity outages crippled large sections of the Russian capital and nearby regions Wednesday, forcing hospitals to resort to emergency power and stranding thousands of commuters in stuffy subways during an unseasonable heatwave.

President Vladimir Putin, in an unusually quick and stern reaction, criticized the state-controlled power monopoly and its controversial head.

The outages, which began with an explosion and fire at a 40-year-old substation, underlined the poor condition of much of Russia's infrastructure, even in the prosperous capital region.

(More...)

[phantom power]

1. sounds like Phoenix last year.

Some transformer caught fire, and it took weeks to obtain a replacement. We managed to avoid rolling blackouts, with some conservation efforts.

[bemildred]

2. Hmmmm, your infrastructure must be in poor condition. nt

[phantom power]

3. Wouldn't surprise me.

About the same time, I recall there was this report going around to the effect that large portions of the US electrical grid are in poor condition.

Knowing how people think in this country, I'm sure most people would rather wait for an epidemic of transformer failures and rolling blackouts, instead of paying a bit more on their electric bill to finance the cost of fixing anything.

[bpilgrim]

4. a lot of the u.s. eastern seaboard, canada, itlay, etc

unregulated genius at work

peace