For 20 years, the electricity business was very stable, and companies built their plans around this idea.

From 2010 to 2020, America used about 1% less electricity. New technologies and rules helped reduce electricity use.

When a business is not growing, it makes choices that might seem smart but are actually harmful.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott stopped new data center projects until the power grid is checked.

Companies did not prepare for the future, and now there is a shortage of workers and parts.

We thought the power grid was stable, but it was actually getting weaker.

Since 2020, electricity use has increased by about 7%, and demand for big power transformers has surged.

We realized we did not have the people or parts to meet the new demand, and America had forgotten how to make some essential parts.

The US had trouble making things again, which is a big problem.

About 80% of big power transformers in the US are imported, and it takes a long time to get them.

We are trying to replace old power transformers and build new ones, but we do not have the parts or workers.

The shortage of workers is a big problem because you cannot quickly train new people.

The knowledge to build power transformers is not written down and is passed from person to person.

You can build a new factory in a couple of years, but you cannot quickly train an experienced worker.

It is easy to lose industrial capability, but it is very expensive to rebuild it.

Our enemies found a weakness in our essential technology, and we must fix it quickly.

We finally realized how important electricity is, but we did so too late to avoid problems.

To fix the problem, we need to treat the power grid as a growing industry again.

We need to invest in the power grid and make sure we have the parts and workers we need.

We must stop thinking that the people and plants that keep the power on will always be there.

Brian Tochman is the founder and CEO of Fluxco, a company that helps solve power transformer supply chain problems.