2003 · Milestone
Northeast blackout — largest U.S. grid failure
On August 14, 2003, a cascading transmission failure starting in Ohio left roughly 55 million people without power across the Northeast and Midwest—the largest blackout in North American history.
Reconciliation note: 1965 Northeast blackout was the first major cascade; 2003 was the largest North American event.
Historical era
Gas, nuclear & early renewables (1980–2004)
Natural gas and nuclear held steady shares while PURPA and tax credits seeded wind and solar.