Some Facts About the U.S. Electrical Grid

grid1The U.S. electric grid delivers electricity to more than 144 million end-use customers in the United States. Construction of the grid was started in the late 1880s and continues today. About 70 percent of the grid’s transmission lines and power transformers are now over 25 years old; the average age of power plants is over 30 years.

As most of us know, the U.S. electric grid is highly vulnerable to severe weather, which is the leading cause of power outages in the United States. Between 2003 and 2012, an estimated 679 widespread power outages occurred due to severe weather.

Power outages close schools, shut down businesses and impede emergency services, costing the economy billions of dollars. According to a 2013 report conducted by the President’s Council of Economic Advisers and the U.S. Department of Energy, the average annual cost of power outages caused by severe weather is estimated to be between $18 billion and $33 billion per year; and much higher in a year with record-breaking storms. In 2008, for example, weather-related outages caused by Hurricane Ike cost the economy between $40 billion and $75 billion.

Oak Electric Service is one of southeast Michigan’s leading electrical and renewable energy contractors. We are committed to doing whatever it takes to keep our customers “energized.”

Not only do we offer comprehensive electrical services for homes and businesses, we also sell, install and service a variety of standby and backup generators from major generator manufacturers. If renewable energy is your thing, we also have installed a number of wind turbine and solar panel systems for many satisfied customers.

Give Oak Electric Service a call at (800) 964-7070. We are standing by to answer all of your residential and commercial electrical and renewable energy questions. We will always personally answer your phone call – you will never reach an answering service! Be sure to ask about our “Free Electrical Safety Inspection” with every job. We invite you to visit our website at www.oakelectric.com to learn more about us.

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Whether you need service for your HVAC system, generator, or any other solar or electrical system, Oak Electric is here to help!

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