Happy Anniversary, Blackout

Tomorrow is the first anniversary of the blackout that turned the lights out in NYC, Ohio, and Canada, and the celebrations have been going on for a while: Earlier in the week, the Daily News hints that another blackout could happen again and the NY Times notes how the power is too sensitive. Hmm, when the Department of Energy released the final blackout report, they found four main causes:

1. Inadequate system understanding; 2. Inadequate situational awareness; 3. Inadequate tree trimming; and 4. Inadequate reliability coordinator diagnostic support.

Yup, that's sound like it could happen again. Read the final report here (PDF).

Another NY Times article cites some areas of Canada are encouraging energy conservation. One measure is to wear skimpier clothing. Sounds like some good ideas are coming out of Canada!

Check out Gothamist's Blackout Edition, Gothamist Food on dining in the dark, plus here are useful tips from the city about staying cool and what to do during a blackout.

Will you be celebrating the blackout by blasting your AC with the lights on when you're sleeping? Or will you just get really drunk and re-enact the blackout with the closest bar patron?

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on August 13, 2004 10:48 AM

Comments [rss]

Cheryl

No doubt the day was unsettling and full of chaos. Our family also saw it as an opportunity to be free of all the electronic gadgets, etc., that constantly pull on our time. So sat in a circle, with candlelights and had great, great conversations...more better than we have had for years (our lives are otherwise very busy).

Belinda

I just got a nose job (plastic surgery) that my surgeon completed a couple hours before the blackout. To celebrate the blackout this year I am getting a chin tuck. Every year I will get improvements to my face in August to commemorate the blackout.

George

I was blasted on prozac. Don't remember much of the blackout. It was interesting reading and hearing about it from friends afterwards thought.

Lux

Oh, I thought it said today was the anniversary... oops.

tien

i mean, it does say in the first sentence, "tomorrow is the first anniversary..." it's just a way to ask what other people are doing.

Lux

I have to be nitpicky -- the anniversary of the blackout is tomorrow.

I remember this because Day Two of the blackout was my mom's birthday, which is 8/15.

Anyhow, I spent that fateful day up in the Bronx at my best friend's parents' house. It was less than pleasant.