Winter storms and other strange weather patterns have affected at least one-third of the United States in recent years, with hurricanes and blizzards being among the most cited weather experiences. These extreme weather events have taken a toll on utilities, who have struggled to keep services available to all customers. Aging power grids, maintenance expenses, and the need for upgrades on legacy equipment are putting utilities at a great cost disadvantage as they strive to keep things running smoothly. In some areas of the country, utilities have been taken to task for higher than usual billing of specific populations during extreme weather events.
