The Straight Dope explores the question of how long it will take the power to fail during the zombie apocalypse or some other apocalyptic scenario. If a slow zombie scenario like DAWN OF THE DEAD, it might take weeks. If a fast zombie scenario like THE INFECTION, it might take hours.
Neat!
When the zombiepocolypse is finally upon us I can deal without worrying about normal power but its the nuclear power plants melting down that now worry me (thank for that Rod Redux)