The machines that keep America alive are failing. We forgot how to replace them

U.S. electricity demand increased 7 percent between 2020 and 2026. The electrical equipment manufacturing and installation workforce has contracted over the past 20 years, according to industry data, creating delays in equipment production and deployment. Supply chain disruptions have extended lead times for transformers, circuit breakers, and other grid components. Utilities report difficulty finding qualified workers to install and maintain equipment needed to expand generation and transmission capacity.

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