>>I read this morning that 9 nuclear power plants automatically shut down as a result of the problem.
>>
>>It seems that it would be more helpful to disconnect *loads*, not *generation plants*. <s>
>
>Actually, no. What do you think happens when you're trying to send electricity to someone who isn't there any more? Back in the old days, they had to turn on lights in the generating plants as people turned off lights in the city -- there are too many lights out there to do that now. :-)

The amount of effort required to turn the turbines is reduced. And I think that there are a few people who will verify that there were people still there! <s>

But good point...