Without such information, local utilities and then the power grids over which electricity flows between states could become unbalanced, leading to widespread blackouts.

These technologies will make the grid much more reliable and will minimize the possibility of widespread blackouts.

It was soon clear that strict demand reduction programs would be needed to avoid widespread blackouts.

The widespread blackout two weeks ago is said to have given the legislation "new urgency."

Peter Barotz, a 20-year island resident, said that he and his wife were on the mainland when they heard how widespread the blackout was.

Power came back on over the weekend for the parts of the Midwest and Canada affected by the widespread blackouts, though some problems remained.

First, why do widespread blackouts occur if there are so many potential back-ups in the system?

Hours before the parents arrived, a widespread blackout plunged several neighborhoods in northwest Queens into darkness.

It was the fifth widespread blackout in the last year for the country, whose infrastructure was left to decay under years of military rule.

Recently, after a widespread day-long blackout in Nairobi's business area, the telephone system there collapsed.