As this graph clearly shows, a frenzy of power plant construction followed the blackout of 1965. It takes about eight years to build a plant, so construction peaked in 1973-74. The generating capacity of the nation was doubled, creating enormous excess peak capacity. We have taken this excess for granted, but growth in peak demand has overtaken it. Plus the power plants are getting old.

We risk a capacity crisis. We're out of juice!

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