A few EMPs and it is game over (imho). It would take years to bring all the lights back. Six months in and the times of no lights (imho) would be lights out for civilization probably worldwide. Would achieve zer0's goals and others' claiming to represent 'We, the People' goals. Realize this does not address your writing, though believe it to be an actual possibility based upon the last two lines of your writing (copied above).
No telecommunications means no way to give orders or exert power.
Look at the burning wells in Kuwait and how long they said it would take to bring them online again.
Now think, the areas to get the lights back first won't be the coasts so much as the areas where power is generated.
Ditto other fuels, food, etc.