The New York Times Gift Article / DataVis “Electricity is perhaps the most underrated issue of our time. In the United States, we have been blessed with a power grid that instantly responds whenever you flick on the lights. It works mostly as expected, cooling our homes, charging our laptops and phones, running life-saving equipment. But as we plug more things into the grid, it will come under unprecedented strain. Virtually every economic goal that American politicians might strive for — growing the economy, reinvigorating the manufacturing sector, fighting climate change or just making life more affordable — will require big upgrades to the electricity system. Lately Americans have become fixated on the explosion in data centers and the power needs of artificial intelligence. That is actually a small part of a much bigger problem. Our grid is too old and our supply of electricity too small. If we don’t meet this moment, we will face an impoverished future of more expensive, less reliable energy, and slower economic growth. In a worst-case scenario, we could see Americans defect from the grid entirely, raising costs for everyone. Something needs to change now. If you want to fix the grid, you first have to understand it. The place to start is your electricity bill…There aren’t many 120-year-old machines that most Americans use every day — but the power grid is one of them. Our leaders have a rare opportunity to rejuvenate this aging but essential system for another century of growth…”