We’ve always maintained that D.C. is a weird amalgamation of First World Starbuckian smugness and Third World dreariness and incompetence. Nothing makes that point better than the regional utility companies. Or Metro. But today let’s go with the utilities.
It’s true that every American is convinced that their utility is uniquely incompetent. Dominion, PEPCO et al. actually are. Once one leaves the federal enclaves the infrastructure, particularly the electric grid, is beyond feeble. It’s not that the grid failed so broadly after this violent storm. Rather, it predictably fails after almost every storm.
Seriously, who in NW or Bethesda has actually seen a Pepco truck? Let me know. #whereispepco @pepcoconnect
— MattBai (@mattbai) July 1, 2012
(Dominion, too. Bueller? Bueller?)
Right before the utilities folded like a paper napkin a TV personality friend sent an email about a DHS report detailing domestic incidents of Stuxnet contaminating U.S. computer networks. Which naturally prompts one to imagine the post-storm quasi-apocalytpic landscape (SUVs forlornly waiting outside dark Wholefoods, drivers unable to overpay for prosciutto) as D.C. under a foreign power’s decision to ‘take down the lights’. Via their version of a less discriminating Stuxnet or even kinetic fire strikes like Belgrade 1999.
It’s a stretch, of course. Only the electric grid collapsed. Other than a stray tree in the road here or there, the transportation remained intact. Communications continued; cell networks, while congested and slow, eventually did work. And psychologically, a storm as culprit is easier to process than a foreign adversary.
But only a stretch. For as sure as Dominion, PEPCO et al. will fail again soon, we will as a nation reap the whirlwind we have sown from 2001-2012.
Update
Newt on Italian vacation plugs utility incompetence as prelude to EMP attack ala Frank Gaffney.
Friend and coauthor bill forstchen notes washington-baltimore blackout mild taste of what an emp (electromagnetic pulse) attack would do
— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) July 2, 2012
His next tweet underscored how the storm aftermath proves the need for East Coast BMD installations but got lost in Italian packet networks.
Aldershot says
Glad the power’s back on, Doc. I was in NE Ohio where the storm passed near by. Saw lightning in the distance and the breeze whipped up and a few raindrops fell…dodged a bullet.
Happy Fourth to all!
DrLeoStrauss says
Hope you’re having a a great holiday, Aldershot. Glad to hear you lucked out in Ohio. Hard to believe there are still people without power in the 100 heat.
DrLeoStrauss says
PEPCO to seek $5.50 increase per customer in next two weeks. Emlematic of the times, failing upwards.
DrLeoStrauss says
The pollonium angle interesting but you’re right, the news is likely to be too little, too late.
re generators in garages, people in Illinois are ahead of the game. We’re still playing catch up in DC.
anon says
Pollonium ? Interesting. I hope this is too little too late to inflame the region. Everyone knows by now anyway http://news.yahoo.com/yasser-arafats-body-exhumed-153629560–abc-news-topstories.html
DrLeoStrauss says
Power in the Bunker is restored mercifully, several days ahead of the declared week to ten days. We’d like to say this event brought out the best of Imperial City denizens, but empathetic outreach versus selfish assertion? 40-60.
Sociopaths at least can bond over animals and taking care of pets a social lubricant in addition to moral imperative. Hotel chains averted massive brand damage and relaxed pet policies, saving countless lives.
anon says
In Illinois we all have power generators in the garage already 😉
DrLeoStrauss says
The WaPo recap at least name checks Starbucks.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/power-outages-could-last-for-days/2012/07/01/gJQA3JVjFW_story.html