The black out last year was considered to be a partisan issue. I certainly interpreted it that way. But here is a very good article from IEEE Spectrum magazine, that suggests the answers aren't that easy.

Regardless, since we all use electricity (except those Amish posters) I thought it would be interesting.

<a href='http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/WEBONLY/publicfeature/aug04/0804grid.html' target='_blank'>That Crazy, Wacky Power Grid</a>

BTW, The Industrial Physicist had an article w/in the last year, but they're kind of flaky w/ their subscription and I never received that issue. The letters to the editor were highly complimentary. I think it's on line too.
<a href='http://www.aip.org/tip/INPHFA/vol-9/iss-5/p8.html' target='_blank'>TIP Article, as mentioned.</a>