The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "Western Interconnection" ...
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The Real Threat to America's Power
A Fortune investigation reveals that not only is California suffering from a generator shortage, "but overloaded power lines pose a much greater risk of blowing the fuses of the national economy." The story reveals the results of a study finding that "since 1975, annual utility investments in the U.S. power transmission system have fallen by more than half, to about $2 billion, ... [and] meanwhile, sales of power loaded onto the lines have risen more than 100-fold since mid-decade." The report details how "operators of the grid are forced to run it ever closer to its limits" and points to a number of examples of "gridwide voltage drop" or mysterious slowing. The investigation explains how "peak-time line congestion pushes wholesale power prices sky-high." The author warns that this trend "is the main threat to the system nationwide."
Tags: utilities; electricity; power companies; watt vendors; dams; generators; dynamo; Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; Western Interconnection