Queens Blackout: 100,000 people, SEVEN DAYS > [View All]

[Stephanie]

It's kind of astonishing. These folks are living in the center of the greatest metropolis on the planet, yet no one can explain why the power grid failed, and no one can fix it in a timely manner. Con Ed still can't say when the remaining areas will be restored. The frail and the elderly are truly suffering. I am trying to understand how such a massive failure could occur.

ABC News attributes it to neglected mainenance. http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=investigators&id=4388181

Greg Palast blames energy deregulation. http://www.gregpalast.com/ken-lays-alive

What's the root cause of the problem? Is Palast right? Did deregulation allow Con Ed to save money by neglecting to maintain its infrastructure?

The economic impact is enormous, not to mention the human toll. Who's to blame?