Step 1 : Introduction to the question "What is the most frequent cause of power outages in the U.S.?"
...The American Public Power Association represents municipal electric utilities. According to them, the most frequent culprit when it comes to power outages in the U.S. is squirrels. These nut-loving tree dwellers are the biggest threat to electrical supplies because of the sheer numbers, intelligence and widespread distribution of these wildlife creatures. In fact, the prestigious Brookings Institution notes that squirrels are responsible for taking down the power grid more times than hackers. Source: WashingtonPost.com
