Claim: The U.S. power grid is at risk of a nationwide blackout that could last 18 months due to aging infrastructure and vulnerabilities to cyber attacks.
Verdict: Unverified (50% confidence)
Explanation: According to the Department of Energy, the U.S. power grid is at risk of increased blackouts due to aging infrastructure (energy.gov). The New York Times reports that the grid's reliance on aging transformers could lead to prolonged outages (nytimes.com). Additionally, a report from Syracuse.com suggests that a nationwide blackout could last up to 18 months (syracuse.com). However, as this claim is predictive about a future event, it remains unverified until the predicted timeframe has elapsed. ...