Experts Claim Rolling Blackouts Will Come to Missouri Eventually

Paint me skeptical. A new report claims that Missouri and other states are 'running out of power' and that rolling blackouts are inevitable. I've done some digging into data and the idea isn't as crazy as you might think.

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This exploration of Missouri's grid and power resources began when I saw a story by MSN about how America is 'running out of power'. The situation is so dire (apparently) that the shutdown of some coal power plants has been delayed. They shared an article by The Washington Post about the power grid problems in Texas as an example. No offense intended to my many friends in Texas, but I'm not concerned with Texas. I am, however, concerned about my home state of Missouri.

I will admit a slight level of alarm when I began looking into Missouri's power grid and found several recent issues that have come up. Missourinet said last summer, the power grid in Missouri was at its breaking point. Missouri Independent also spoke of 'power plant problems' in the state.

It dates back a few years, but I also found an interesting study about Missouri's energy infrastructure by the US Department of Energy. It included this map showing the electric plants and means of transmission in Missouri.

Their study said that 214,783 Missourians had been affected by power outages during a 5-year-period. The conclusion of the study was that Missouri's power infrastructure seems to be sufficient...for now. But, there's a very big problem with one scenario.

What happens to the power grid if Missouri is hit by a major New Madrid earthquake?

The already-stretched power structure in Missouri would likely be in great jeopardy in the event of a statewide natural catastrophe. 

The USGS now says there is a 25 to 40% chance that a quake measuring greater than 6 will hit Missouri in the next 50 years. A quake that significant would cause many to lose power perhaps even for weeks. The good news is that event might not happen in our lifetimes. The bad news is it could happen tomorrow...or today. 

Studies are still being done to consider how Missouri and America's power needs can be met. Let's hope a crisis doesn't push it to the breaking point.