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s <br />Rising demands, hurdles to building new generation, and <br />restrictions on peaking power sources, like hydropower, contribute <br />to power failures. Blackouts already cost the U.S. approximately <br />$80 billion annually plus countless levels of aggravation and <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 />transportation as well as the interruption of cell phone networks <br />and 911 communications. Even worse, blackouts can tax <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 />due to rising demand and reduced supplies. <br />When supply fails to keep pace with demand, costs to consumers and businesses rise <br />and reliability falls. In 1970, the average price of electricity was 17.0 mills per kWh. By 2005, <br />the average price was 75.2 mills per kWh. As of April 2006, the price had risen to 83.9 mills <br />per kWh. And prices are expected to continue to climb. <br />90.0 <br />85.0 <br />80.0 <br />75.0 <br />70.0 <br />65.0 <br />60.0 <br />Average Price of Electricity <br />1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 <br />5 <br />