Though the electricity was fully restored more than two months ago, the light is just beginning to be shed on the problems that led up to the massive Blackout of 2003. But officials need to keep surging ahead in order to find a solution for the future.
"Mass confusion and a failure to communicate" were blamed for having a hand in causing the blackout, Michigan Public Service Commission Chairman J. Peter Lark said in a statement made Wednesday.
Clark also released the results of a 12-week investigation, which found no evidence that Michigan utilities were responsible for the blackout.
Those who operate and oversee the transmission grids responsible for the electricity of millions of customers cannot afford confusion and miscommunication on such a large scale. What might have seemed like small mistakes at the time added up to a big price - 50 million people in the dark and billions of dollars in damage.
The officials who compiled the investigation should be commended for their speedy work, making Michigan the first state affected by the blackout to issue its findings.
If there is one way for the utilities companies and transmissions operators to redeem themselves for August's power outage, it is by quickly working to investigate the issue and formulating plans to prevent further problems.
All involved should look to Michigan as an example of how to positively react to an embarrassing and costly problem. Other states should jump on board and release their own investigations to help find a complete solution.
It's good to see that Michigan regulators teamed up with Gov. Jennifer Granholm to create a report that recommended a single regional transmission organization to be established for the Midwest.
This plan, which also suggests mandatory participation with the organization for all utilities and transmission owners, is a great idea that hopefully would eliminate further miscommunication between transmission operators and utility companies, lowering the chances of another big blackout.
The report also asked Congress to give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission the ability to mandate and enforce reliability standards. This recommendation is another good idea that will promote communication by creating rules and expectations for all who are involved with every aspect of the industry.
Blackout 2003 is a dark example of the high cost of ill communication. Some of the inconveniences that resulted were slight problems, such as tight traffic and no air conditioning in the sticky August heat. But some larger problems resulted as well, from hospitals having to run on generators to fires caused by the surges in power.
Officials must continue to be proactive problem-solvers and not just stop at admitting their mistakes. The only way to avoid another dark disaster is by stepping up communication and cooperation within and between the organizations involved.
The process will be a difficult one, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Unless the power goes out again.
