#21 The Furry Threat - Squirrels vs. The Power Grid
Episode description
Squirrels may look cute and harmless, but these little critters are actually the #1 threat to the electrical grid in the U.S.! In this episode, hosts Angie and Leigh dive into the surprising phenomenon of power outages caused by squirrels (P.O.C.B.S).
You'll learn:
- What the acronym P.O.C.B.S. stands for and just how widespread these squirrel incidents are across the country
- How innocent-looking squirrels chewing on power lines can potentially cause havoc to your home's electricity or even be a national security threat
- The meaning behind the "squirrel index" that utilities use to track these furry troublemakers
- Astonishing examples like ground squirrels accessing an underground nuclear missile site in Montana
- Practical tips on what you can do to squirrel-proof your property and prevent these power disruptions
Even if they don't mean any harm, squirrels have the potential to create a crazy national incident just by doing what they do naturally. Don't let their cute exterior fool you - these critters are a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the power grid! Tune in for this nutty look at squirrels' role in electricity reliability.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_disruptions_caused_by_squirrels
https://web.archive.org/web/20170903125355/http://blog.publicpower.org/sme/?p=730