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U.S. Department of Energy
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New York City's blackout: a $350 million drain

Journal Article · · IEEE Spectrum; (United States)
A DOE report has concluded that the 1977 blackout in New York City cost $350 million, with at least half this cost due to looting and arson. A breakdown of impact areas shows that indirect impacts account for over $290 million, which led the DOE to conclude that indirect as well as direct impacts must be incorporated in the cost of power outages. These include the costs of emergency aid, insurance, court and corrections services, and other public services in addition to the direct costs of food spoilage, lost revenues and wages, and actual damage to property. Major social and economic disruptions developed when commuter trains were stopped, airports closed, and the telephone system was overloaded. Some disruptions occurred in hospital, police, and other public services.
OSTI ID:
6469047
Journal Information:
IEEE Spectrum; (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Spectrum; (United States) Vol. 15:11; ISSN IEESA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English