Laserfiche WebLink
EIA predicts the <br />Rising demands, hurdles to building new generation, and <br />restrictions on peaking power sour ces, like hydropower, contribute <br />need for 347,000 <br />to power failures. Blackouts already cost the U.S. approximately <br />$80 billion annually plus countle ss levels of aggravation and <br />MW of new capacity <br />inconvenience. Besides the loss of light, the loss of power can <br />result in water system failures, a complete loss of air and other <br />nationwide by 2030. <br />transportation as well as the interruption of cell phone networks <br />and 911 communications. Even worse, blackouts can tax <br />This amounts to <br />emergency personnel to the limit, cause fires and lead to the loss <br />of human life. Blackouts are occurring more often across the U.S. <br />more than 1900 <br />due to rising demand and reduced supplies. <br />new power plants or <br />approximately 75 <br />new power plants <br />When supply fails to keep pace with demand, costs to consumers and businesses rise and <br />reliability falls. In 1970, the average price of el ectricity was 17.0 mills per kWh. By 2005, the <br />per year. <br />average price was 75.2 mills per kWh. As of April 2006, the pric e had risen to 83.9 mills per <br />kWh. And prices are expected to continue to climb. <br /> 5 <br />