http://blackout.gmu.edu/highlights/timeline.html Interesting -- it sounds like they formed the Dept. ofEnergy to prevent such occurrences, well, I guess it didn't work. From your link:
Blackouts:
1977 July 13 &14 - On August 13, 1977, New York City suffered a massive blackout. All five boroughs as well as areas in the northern suburbs of Westchester County were plunged into darkness as lightning downed major transmission power lines supplying power to the metropolitan area. While many dealt with the blackout in a peaceful and neighborly fashion, a number of communities erupted in violence. Looters broke into stores, taking merchandise, and destroying local businesses. In place of the evening glow ordinarily produced by the city's abundant electrical lighting, fires lighted the darkened skyline, leaving charred remnants of once lively neighborhoods. Within the short span of two days, police had arrested 3,766 looters and the city had suffered an economic blow that one estimate placed at more than $300 million. Unlike the 1965 blackout, when the lights went out in 1977 the most distressed neighborhoods of the City endured what Time magazine called "A Night of Terror." ^_top
U.S. Department of Energy formed in the same year. ^_top