[Myrddin]

Let's not burn bandwidth re-educating you about the nature of the "grid". That's a pedantic power trip for you.

Let's select a real target: New York City. If all the coal fired plants go offline, does New York stay in business?

[_Jim]

Let's not burn bandwidth re-educating you about the

Ahem - I need no 'education' on this subject; rather, it's the BULK of the unwashed, non-technical WallMart Shrink-wrapped merchandise consuming masses here (perhaps including YOU) who need, nay, require the education.

Got it?

Now, how about you? Are you the least bit conversant or knowledgeable on the history of development of bulk power generation and delivery systems and the measures undertake to assure system reliabity - also termed 'security' (NOT physical or internet 'security', but, rather the integritity and 'stability' of a LOT of rotating machinery and interconnected buses that comprises the myriad of rotating generators making up the generation part of 'the grid') by professionals working in the field -

- or not?

Heck 99.99 percent of you guys haven't taken THE TIME to study the HALF DOZEN or so well--documented BLACKOUTS we've had in the last forty years (BY WHICH you could see JUST how much of a foul-up it takes ON BEHALF OF the power company to bring about a LARGE blackout).

No, it isn't I who require education, it's others ...