Fifth anniversary of big blackout
Last Updated: Thursday, August 14, 2008 | 8:15 AM ET
The Canadian Press
It was five years ago — Aug. 14, 2003 — that about 50 million people in Ontario and the eastern U.S. suddenly lost their power and quickly learned how to live without electricity.
Surprisingly, many found they loved living in the dark and vowed to change their lifestyles by unplugging more often.
Experts say most of those good intentions faded out quickly and there was no major conservation movement that followed the blackout.
Kim Warren of the Independent Electricity System Operator says it's unlikely Ontario will be hit with another blackout since the grid's security has been improved and more capacity is now online.
A group of Mississauga residents launched blackoutday.ca to help organize anniversary parties across the province and hope power consumption will be a little lower.
