Some folks are unaware of the fact that there are (only) three separate electrical grids in the US. There's the Eastern grid, the Western grid, and the Texas grid.
Texas declines the offer to be 'consolidated', thank you very much.
Long ago, when EMPs became a real threat, we should have embarked on a progrm of systematic decentralization of our power grid. Which the few smart people have been saying for along time.
IMO, DC has orchestrated the centralization of the grid deliberately so that it can be used as a weapon in the event of massive civil disturbance or rebellion. The people resist tyranny and, boom, down goes the power for 1/3 of the country. Everyone talks tough about standing up to the feds, but what happens when there is no power in multiple states?