Dataset

This dataset was created by Le Ngoc Loi FX10008

Contents

Dataset

This dataset was created by hiromu

Contents

Dataset

This dataset was created by Reyner Ongkowijoyo

Released under Apache 2.0

Contents

Content

This database includes a record for each oil pipeline leak or spill reported to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration since 2010. These records include the incident date and time, operator and pipeline, cause of incident, type of hazardous liquid and quantity lost, injuries and fatalities, and associated costs.

Acknowledgements

The oil pipeline accident reports were collected and published by the DOT's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

The United States electric grid, a vast and complex infrastructure, has experienced numerous outages from 2002 to 2023, with causes ranging from extreme weather events to cyberattacks and aging infrastructure. The resilience of the grid has been tested repeatedly as demand for electricity continues to grow while climate change exacerbates the frequency and intensity of storms, wildfires, and other natural disasters.

Between 2002 and 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy recorded thousands of power outages, varying in scale from localized blackouts to large-scale regional failures affecting millions. The Northeast blackout of 2003 was one of the most significant, impacting 50 million people across the United States and Canada. A software bug in an alarm system prevented operators from recognizing and responding to transmission line failures, leading to a cascading effect that took hours to contain and days to restore completely.

Weather-related disruptions have been among the most common causes of outages, particularly hurricanes, ice storms, and heatwaves. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, knocking out power for over 1.7 million customers. Similarly, in 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused widespread destruction in the Northeast, leaving over 8 million customers in the dark. More recently, the Texas winter storm of February 2021 resulted in one of the most catastrophic power failures in state history. Unusually cold temperatures overwhelmed the state’s independent power grid, leading to equipment failures, frozen natural gas pipelines, and rolling blackouts that lasted days. The event highlighted vulnerabilities in grid preparedness for extreme weather, particularly in regions unaccustomed to such conditions.

Wildfires in California have also played a significant role in grid outages. The state's largest utility companies, such as Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), have implemented preemptive power shutoffs to reduce wildfire risks during high-wind events. These Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) have affected millions of residents, causing disruptions to businesses, emergency services, and daily life. The 2018 Camp Fire, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history, was ignited by faulty PG&E transmission lines, leading to increased scrutiny over utility maintenance and fire mitigation efforts.

In addition to natural disasters, cyber threats have emerged as a growing concern for the U.S. electric grid. In 2015 and 2016, Russian-linked cyberattacks targeted Ukraine’s power grid, serving as a stark warning of the potential vulnerabilities in American infrastructure. In 2021, the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, while not directly targeting the electric grid, demonstrated how critical energy infrastructure could be compromised, leading to widespread fuel shortages and economic disruptions. Federal agencies and utility companies have since ramped up investments in cybersecurity measures to protect against potential attacks.

Aging infrastructure remains another pressing issue. Many parts of the U.S. grid were built decades ago and have not kept pace with modern energy demands or technological advancements. The shift towards renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, presents new challenges for grid stability, requiring updated transmission systems and improved energy storage solutions. Federal and state governments have initiated grid modernization efforts, including investments in smart grids, microgrids, and battery storage to enhance resilience and reliability.

Looking forward, the future of the U.S. electric grid depends on continued investments in infrastructure, cybersecurity, and climate resilience. With the increasing electrification of transportation and industry, demand for reliable and clean energy will only grow. Policymakers, utility companies, and regulators must collaborate to address vulnerabilities, adapt to emerging threats, and ensure a more robust, efficient, and sustainable electric grid for the decades to come.