08-16-2003, 10:33 AM
Actually, I've just done a little surfing on the topic, and the European press reports the following:
None of the official sources seem to agree on what the problem was. Canadian authorities claimed the blackout was caused by a fire in a powerplant belonging to the Con Edison company, on the US-side of the Niagara falls. Con Edison in turn denied that they have a plant there at all.
The Canadian ministry of defense then said a US plant had been struck by lightning, whereas the minister of defense personally seemed to think that the blackout started with a nuclear plant in Pennsylvania overheating. US authorities deny any responsibility but have so far not delivered a proper explanation of the events.
Experts do seem to agree though, that North America's power supply system is highly outdated. Bill Richardson, governour of New Mexico and former ernergy minister is quoted as saying, "We are a superpower with an electricity network worthy of a third world country."
Isn't it a mad mad world?
None of the official sources seem to agree on what the problem was. Canadian authorities claimed the blackout was caused by a fire in a powerplant belonging to the Con Edison company, on the US-side of the Niagara falls. Con Edison in turn denied that they have a plant there at all.
The Canadian ministry of defense then said a US plant had been struck by lightning, whereas the minister of defense personally seemed to think that the blackout started with a nuclear plant in Pennsylvania overheating. US authorities deny any responsibility but have so far not delivered a proper explanation of the events.
Experts do seem to agree though, that North America's power supply system is highly outdated. Bill Richardson, governour of New Mexico and former ernergy minister is quoted as saying, "We are a superpower with an electricity network worthy of a third world country."
Isn't it a mad mad world?