Are Rolling Blackouts Becoming the New Normal?

We’ve been hearing more and more about rolling blackouts the past few years.  

They’re also being called rotating power outages and load shedding. Whatever they’re called, I’m afraid we’re going to hear a lot more about them going forward.

Periodically, electric company decision-makers order temporary rolling blackouts in areas where the grid is in danger of failing. This is usually associated with extreme weather, including storms or severe heat or cold.

The idea itself is a sound one. Better to have a limited number of people lose power for a few hours than for millions to be in the dark for an indefinite time period.
 
But the necessity of rolling blackouts is proof that our electric grids are vulnerable to all sorts of problems. Including extreme weather, physical attacks, cyber attacks, and even squirrels climbing into the wrong places.

Elliott Clobbered the Country

As recently as late last month, Winter Storm Elliott wreaked havoc on a good chunk of the nation.
 
Combined with an arctic blast that reached all the way down to Florida, the storm featured 79 mile-per-hour winds, huge amounts of snowfall, at least 95 deaths, and more than 6 million power outages. Another 1 million-plus outages were recorded in Canada.
 
This historic bomb cyclone and blizzard combination also included record-setting cold temperatures in the upper Midwest and Canada. The Buffalo, New York area received more than 55 inches of snow over a five-day period.
 
Over 18,000 flights were canceled and countless road closures occurred. But not before thousands of motorists were stranded on snow-covered and wind-swept roads. Deaths occurred from the storm in an unheard of 20 different states, plus Canada.
 
Among the many power outages were 250,000 in Maine, 180,000 in North Carolina, and more than 100,000 each in Virginia, Tennessee, and New York.

Energy Companies Respond to Crisis
 
A number of states, including North Carolina and Tennessee, instituted rolling blackouts in order to keep the grid from collapsing.
 
Duke Energy in North Carolina issued an apology to customers on Christmas Eve regarding their rotating power outages. Really what they were apologizing for was a lack of advance notice, not for the rolling blackouts they felt compelled to enact.
 
Julie Janson is executive vice president and CEO of Duke Energy Carolinas. She addressed the historic cold weather and high consumer demand for electricity caused by Winter Storm Elliott.
 
“We are sorry for what our customers experienced,” she said. “We regret not being able to provide customers as much advance notice as we would have liked, and acknowledge that the outages themselves lasted far longer than we first expected.”
 
A spokesperson from the Tennessee Valley Authority said that demand for electricity was running nearly 35% higher than during a typical winter day.

Winter Storm Results in Investigation
 
Elliott was such a massive and devastating storm that it resulted in a joint investigation between the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC).
 
At the peak of the storm, which swept across the U.S. with deadly cold, blizzards, and destructive winds, more than 60% of the country was under a winter weather alert.
 
A month earlier, NERC predicted that power supplies could be “seriously challenged” by a major winter storm. The organization warned that a large portion of North America was at risk of insufficient electricity supplies during peak winter conditions.
 
Jim Robb is NERC’s chief executive. He said, “In addition to load shedding in Tennessee and the Carolinas, multiple energy emergencies were declared and new energy demand records were set across the continent.
 
Still fresh in many minds was Winter Storm Uri, which struck in February 2021 and battered the central and southwest U.S. Hit especially hard was Texas, where generators and gas supply lines froze, over 4 million customers lost power, and more than 200 died.

Light Breaks Through Darkness

As we’ve seen, power outages can occur with little or no notice. And that’s whether they are caused suddenly by extreme weather or other reasons, or if they are instituted by local officials as rolling blackouts.
 
It’s crucial for Americans to have an alternative power and light solution when these events occur. Light in a home during a blackout can reduce the risk of falls and a variety of other problems.
 
That’s why I recommend our “solar lighthouse” for every home. The 4Patriots SoLantern not only delivers ultra-bright light indoors and out, but you can also use it to power your cellphone.
 
Perfect for blackouts, front and back yards, campgrounds, and RV trips, this lantern provides 800 lumens of light and five light settings. It also recharges with just the sun, and has a long-lasting battery life. Lightweight for portability, it can go anywhere you do.
 
And right now, you can take advantage of our Buy 4, Get 1 free deal. 
 

Leave a comment

*Required Fields

Featured Products

Patriot Power Generator 1800 and Patriot Power Sidekick as Featured by Fox & Friends
Super-Charged Solar Generator Bundle
$2,499
$2,999
$2,499
National Preparedness Month Special Offer! For a Limited Time, Get a FREE [New & Improved!] Patriot Power Sidekick. Now you’ve got the ultimate backup power solution in the palm of your hand…  With the legendary Patriot Power Generator 1800 and the NEW & improved Patriot Power Sidekick — all in...
Patriot Power Generator 2000K as seen on Fox and Friends.
Patriot Power Generator 2000X
$2,999
$2,999
NEW & Improved: Solar generator charges more devices for longer in a blackout. With double the capacity & more peak power than before! Plus, new expandable capability, for even more power.  Worth its weight in gold in dangerous blackouts and charges in the sun. FREE solar panel included. Portable, silent,...
Patriot Power Cell CX 1 pack. View of the front and back with the light on.
Patriot Power Cell CX
From $29.95
$119.80
From $29.95
704,617 Americans Own These Solar Backup Chargers.2 And 9 out of 10 folks claim more than 1! The best-selling Patriot Power Cell has been upgraded to the Patriot Power Cell CX®! And just like the fan-favorite model, the NEW model still keeps your devices ON when the lights go OUT. These...
4Patriots Gold Medallion All-Meat Survival Food Kit.
Gold Medallion All-Meat Survival Food Kit
$249
$249
[REAL MEAT] “Beef Up” Your Survival Food Stockpile With Protein-Packed Meat. Does your survival stash have enough sustaining protein-rich meat to tide you over in a crisis? These All-Meat Survival Food Kits will satisfy the hungriest appetites. And they’re the perfect way to round out any food storage plan, and...
New and improved Patriot Power Sidekick
Patriot Power Sidekick
$499
$499
NEW & Improved! Mini Solar Generator comes with FREE solar panel included. NEW Patriot Power Sidekick® charges faster than ever. And powers more of your critical devices. So you can keep your family safe in a dangerous blackout. Plus, this workhouse is still silent, fume-FREE and safe to use inside. Drain it...
4Patriots Emergency Food Bars array. As Featured on FOX & Friends
Emergency Food Bars
From $29
From $29
The Ultimate “No Prep” Survival Food. 4Patriots Emergency Food Bars require no cooking, added water or heat source. You’ll love the flavor... like a shortbread cookie delicately kissed with lemon. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill “energy bars.” With 400 calories per bar, just 1 Food Bar Pack provides basic rations for...
4Patriots Lumberjack Survival Food Kit.
Lumberjack Survival Food Kit
$114.95
$114.95
Meals For Ultimate Strength & Stamina… Good For 25 Years! When the going gets tough, the tough need a good meal and that’s just what you get in the Lumberjack Survival Food Kit. 80 servings of stick-to-your ribs meals “Disaster-resistant” packaging Designed to last 25 Years* Handpacked in the USA Ships...
HaloXT Tactical Solar Flashlight 4 pack as featured on fox & friends
HaloXT Tactical Solar Flashlight
From $29.95
$29.95
From $29.95
If MacGyver had a Tactical Flashlight, it’d be This One. The HaloXT Multi-Use Solar Powered Flashlight has 9 functions with a single mission: keeping you safe. It's rechargeable — you can drain it down and charge it up thousands of times. But you don’t need electricity or batteries to power...
BugOUT Solar Lantern
BugOUT Solar Lantern
$49.95
$49.95
Use the Sun to Keep Your Yard Safe. Mosquitos and other flying bugs are more than just a nuisance… they carry dangerous diseases. Eliminate flying pests from your yard, deck, and patio — and stay safe — with the 4Patriots BugOUT Solar Lantern®. Solar-powered, charges in the sun! Pesticide-free Mosquito...
4Patriots 3-Month PlatinumXL Survival Food Kit shown with all pouches. 910 Servings.
3-Month Survival Food Kit PlatinumXL
$897
$997
$897
[NEW] #1 Survival Food Kit is Bigger & Better Than Ever! The moment you’ve been waiting for is here. Folks kept asking us for MORE… so we delivered. Introducing the NEW PlatinumXL 3-Month Survival Food Kit. It’s the most food we’ve EVER packed into a 3-month supply. Over 1.4 million...
Liberty Band® Emergency Solar Radio 3-Pack
Liberty Band Emergency Solar Radio
From $69
From $69
ONE Thing​ Makes all the Difference in an Emergency... Information. That’s why the 4Patriots Liberty Band® Emergency Solar Radio is critical to have in a crisis situation. Because when you're properly connected to important news & updates, the odds of survival turn in your favor. After all... information is power....
4Patriots 1-Year Survival Food Kit shown with all pouches and storage totes. 2,752 Servings.
1-Year Survival Food Kit
From $2,796
From $2,796
Our Biggest Emergency Food Kit. Our "gold standard" of emergency food kits is packed with delicious food designed to last for 25 years. And it's available on an easy payment plan.  2,752 total servings / 7.6 per day 543,360 total calories / 1,509 per day+ Designed to last 25 years*...
As seen on Fox & Friends, 4Patriots 3-Month Survival Food Kit shown with all pouches.
3-Month Survival Food Kit
$699
$699
This Good-For-25-Year Survival Food Kit is actually in stock! After being "sold out" for more than a year, the Deluxe 3-Month Survival Food Kit is back on the menu. And it's better than ever. With exclusive recipes that are so yummy, you'll swear your grandma made them. 688 total servings...
4Patriots 72-hour Survival Food Kits individual pouches. 25-Year Shelf Life.
72-Hour Survival Food Kit
$29
$29
NEW & Improved! Your #1 need in an emergency is food. That's why both FEMA2 and the Red Cross3 say that you need a supply of non-perishable food on-hand. And now, you get 25% MORE food in your 72-Hour Survival Food Kit. Delicious & easy to prepare 16 20 total servings /...
4Patriots 4-Week Survival Food Kits individual pouches. 196 servings.
4-Week Survival Food Kit
$277
$277
America Loves This Delicious Survival Food Kit. If you're looking to secure an affordable backup food supply — with the same delicious flavor that's in our bigger, more-expensive kits — the 4-Week Survival Food Kit is the perfect place to start. Each kit has 192 servings of tasty survival food (about 7 servings...
Patriot Power Generator and $100 OFF Freedom Fridge. Easy payment plan and free shipping
Patriot Power Generator 1800 + Freedom Fridge
$2,648
$2,748
$2,648
$100 OFF Our Freedom Fridge With Your Solar Generator. The ultimate “blackout-proof” combo to protect your food and critical medical supplies in a dangerous blackout.  Your Patriot Power Generator 1800 is a nearly endless supply of backup power that can run the BIG stuff like your fridge and microwave. Your $100...
Solar Go-Fridge
Solar Go-Fridge
$847
$897
$847
Advanced 3-in-1 Solar-Powered Cooler Keeps Food Ice Cold Without Ice. The Solar Go-Fridge® is a solar-powered fridge & deep freezer. Take it with you on road trips, RV adventures & camping. Or use it as a blackout-proof backup fridge.  It keeps food, drinks & medicine cold without ice. So you...
Patriot Power Greens - 1Canister Double Size.
Patriot Power Greens - 1 Double Size Can
$69.90
$69.90
People can’t believe what this “weird” green drink can do. Patriot Power Greens is a doctor-developed formula first tested on older military members and veterans… to support day-long energy, reduces inflammation, and healthy aging. Each scoop delivers a combination of over 60 tasty ingredients, including more than 40 fruits and vegetables,...
Patriot Power Generator 2000X Expansion Pack
Patriot Power Generator 2000X Expansion Pack
$1,594
$1,594
[Limited Stock] Exclusively for Patriot Power Generator 2000X owners —  upgrade your solar generator & nearly DOUBLE your available power. The NEW 2000X Expansion Pack is designed to work perfectly with your NEW solar generator. It's a simple, 2-piece system that increases the battery capacity of your Patriot Power Generator...
Patriot Pure Ultimate Water Filtration System with NEW Advanced Nanomesh™ Filter!
Patriot Pure Ultimate Water Filtration System
$197
$197
[NEW] Upgraded Filter Technology is here! Our NEW Ultimate Water Filtration System now has a breakthrough Nanomesh™ filter. It’s the same technology used by the U.S. military & NASA. They’re sturdier and MORE reliable. Plus, they’re a snap to replace after 200 gallons of cleaner, more delicious water. [NEW] Advanced...
4Patriots Fruit, Veggie & Snack Survival Food Kit. 120 Servings!
Fruit, Veggie & Snack Survival Food Kit
$129.95
$129.95
Our #1 Tastiest Fruit & Veggie Survival Food Kit. Delicious fruits & veggies designed to last 25 years?* That's right! The 4Patriots Fruit, Veggie & Snack Survival Food Kit will “supercharge” your stockpile with plant-based power food. We're talking blueberries, strawberries, pineapples and more! And it all has that "just-picked...
Patriot Pure Personal Water Filter
Patriot Pure Personal Water Filter
$24.95
$24.95
Pure Water That Fits in Your Pocket. Access to clean drinking water is essential to survival. Give your family clean, great-tasting, water no matter where you are with Patriot Pure® Personal Water Filters. Fits in the palm of your hand Removes up to 99.9% of germs* Filters up to 528 gallons...
4Patriots Patriot Power Generator 1800 as seen on fox & friends
Patriot Power Generator 1800
$2,299
$2,499
$2,299
This best-selling portable solar generator is your “Magic Bullet” to protect you from blackouts, power failures & the crumbling electric grid. Use the Patriot Power Generator 1800 inside your home — to power a fridge, freezer, medical devices & more. It comes ready to use & never needs gas… ever!...
4Patriots CoyoteXT All-in-1 Tactical Shovel Kit
4Patriots CoyoteXT All-in-1 Tactical Shovel Kit
$119.95
$119.95
[NEW] This “crisis-ready” tactical multi-tool is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. With the CoyoteXT All-in-1 Tactical Shovel Kit you can dig, chop, hunt, and even clean game while enjoying a range of other functions to keep you safe.ᐩ  All-in-1 outdoor tool: survival kit hidden in handle   Includes flashlight, knife...
Meat & Protein Deluxe Survival Food Kit shown with its individual pouches and small stackable storage tote.
Meat & Protein Deluxe Survival Food Kit
$189
$189
[Real Meat] Powerful, Deluxe Protein you can Taste. Our Meat & Protein Deluxe Survival Food Kit delivers 85 tasty servings of essential protein. With 697 total grams, you’ll have delicious protein ready for today… or 25 years from now.* Real beef and chicken, plus savory beans. It’s the perfect protein...
4Patriots Heartland's Finest Powdered Milk Kit.
Heartland's Finest Powdered Milk Kit
$99
$99
Milk Designed to Last 25 Years. Add more protein to your stockpile with 4Patriots Heartland's Finest Powdered Milk. So rich and creamy, you’ll think it’s fresh from the farm. Enjoy with your morning coffee, breakfast, or in your favorite recipes. With 128 servings… you won’t have to worry about going...
StarFire Camp Stove
StarFire Camp Stove
$59.95
$59.95
The Perfect Portable Stove for when SHTF. The StarFire Camp Stove ® gives you a simple & efficient way to boil water and cook food with only kindling or leaves as fuel.*  Low smoke! Element-resistant stainless steel Cook meals without power No gas needed Boil water fast & safely Lightweight...
Sun Kettle® XL Solar Cooker.
Sun Kettle XL Solar Cooker
$99.95
$99.95
A Bigger Solar Hot Water Kettle is here! Using the same solar technology as its best-selling “baby brother,” the Sun KettleⓇ XL Personal Water Heater has 2X the hot-water capacity. Boil water in minutes — without fuel or flame! No batteries or electricity needed Extra large capacity (33.8 ounces of...
4Patriots SoLantern. As featured on fox & friends.
4Patriots SoLantern
$19.95
$19.95
Bright Light Anywhere You Go, Powered by the Sun! 4Patriots SoLantern® provides you with a reliable and portable off-the-grid light source with its built-in solar panel. The NEW 4Patriots SoLantern has a super-bright LED light to illuminate your outdoor surroundings when RVing, camping, hunting or fishing. It's great for your home, garage,...
Sun Kettle Solar Cooker as seen on Fox and Friends.
Sun Kettle Solar Cooker
From $69
$69
From $69
Introducing... the Sun Kettle® Personal Water Heaters. This solar hot water kettle is a revolutionary portable device that boils water using just the power of sunlight. No batteries, cords, or dangerous flames required! Boil water in minutes — without fuel or flame! Portable: lightweight & compact Easy to use: no...
4Patriots 40-watt folding solar panel unfolded
4Patriots 40-Watt Folding Solar Panel
$149
$149
Portable, Solar and Works with any USB Cord! Charge your phone, tablet or radio on the go. No generator necessary. Each 40-Watt panel folds up in seconds for easy transportation. Perfect for bug-out bags, camping or emergencies.  Acts as its own power bank!  Works with your phone or tablet Sets up...
Freedom fridge
Freedom Fridge
$249
$249
Portable Mini-Cooler that Keeps Your Food, Drinks or Temperature-Sensitive Medication SAFE. Plus, the 4Patriots Freedom Fridge Thermoelectric Food Locker can help warm your dinner dishes too! This is an advanced, thermo-locker that you can use as an ice box, food warmer or even backup power bank. High-quality polyurethane insulation Can...
Breezy Cube Portable Air Cooler
Breezy Cube Portable Air Cooler
$44.95
$44.95
Cool Air & Refreshing Mist Anywhere You Go. A powerful fan & cooling mister that keeps you comfortable… on a hot day or during a blackout. It's wireless, so you can keep cool anywhere. And it weighs less than 2 lbs!  Wireless, 2-way cooling technology Easy to use – only 2...
Patriot Power Generator 100-watt folding solar panel
Patriot Power Generator 100-Watt Folding Solar Panel
$499
$499
Double Your Power Instantly! Cut your charge time in half & double the power of your Patriot Power Generator with a second (or third!) 100-Watt solar panel. Double your power instantly Charge your generator 2X faster Sets up in seconds Folds and transports anywhere… anytime! Ships from Utah, USA 100% Money-back...
Patriot Power Generator Platinum Add-On Package
Patriot Power Generator Platinum Add-On Package
$999
$999
Charge Your Generator Twice as Fast & Double Your Available Power. When it comes to protecting your family, you want maximum power… and maximum protection — which is exactly what you get with the Patriot Power Generator Platinum Add-On Package. 100-Watt folding solar panel: Daisy chain this to your 1st...
4Patriots Compact Rechargeable Fan
Compact Rechargeable Fan
$59.95
$59.95
A Fan That Keeps You Cool & “On-the-Go.” Now you can get a refreshing breeze anywhere you go. This USB-rechargeable fan will keep you cool… on a hot day or even during a blackout. Plus, it’s wireless, so it goes where you go! And it weighs less than 3 lbs! ...
4Patriots Double Platinum Power & EMP Protection Bundle.
Double Platinum Power & EMP Protection Bundle
$3,199
$3,399
$3,199
Together At Last! A Solar Generator "Worth its Weight in Gold" and the Add-On Package that Doubles its Power. You asked, we listened! For the first time ever, you can grab the ultimate in backup power — in 1 amazing bundle. One click and it’s all yours! Charge for FREE in...
4Patriots 2000X Expansion Pack Platinum Upgrade.
2000X Expansion Pack Platinum Upgrade
$1,997
$1,997
Charge Your Generator Twice as Fast & Nearly Double Your Available Power. When it comes to protecting your family, you want maximum power… and maximum protection — which is exactly what you get with the 2000X Expansion Pack Platinum Upgrade. 100-Watt folding solar panel: Daisy chain this to another solar...