Cyber security is pretty important these days. Hack attacks can be very disruptive. Just ask Romania.
So we here in the US should feel at least somewhat more secure in knowing that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has approved "eight new mandatory critical infrastructure protection (CIP) reliability standards to protect the nation’s bulk power system against potential disruptions from cyber security breaches.”
Now, rogue infiltrations of our power grid here in the States perhaps aren’t the worst possible events that could befall us. One can likely think of more critical (but far less likely) assaults that would necessitate more immediate remedies and responses.
But if we’re to think very selfishly of any potential losses in the face of electronic silence (imagine a prolonged moment spent without Mashable by your side), it’s natural for one to want those watts coming in through the holes in the wall without any interruptions.