continuing a failed-infrastructure-matters thread, the effect of grid, and point backup (diesel) failure is not limited to loss of transit, for which non-local redundency exists, nor non-redundent service, for which uninterrupted operations may not be mission, or quality of life critical, but extends to basic access to private data networks, which are quality of life critical. the link below is to a write-up on inability to access the "electronic benefits card (ebt)" payment system in the absence of power to the points of sale (pos), and/or partition, or failure, local or larger, of the data network overwhich the ebt pos edge devices and core settlement system are distributed. http://colorlines.com/archives/2012/11/without_electricity_new_yorkers_on_fo... again, interest and milage may vary, naturally. -e