His bunk is frigid, just a tick below 20-degrees outside his trailer, and his feet are freezing. He wearily loads up his gear, including extra socks for when his first pair get too wet in the snow and ice, and saunters over to his team’s morning safety briefing.

For more than 20 years, Vinnie DeClemente has worked in the nuclear power industry. When he started working for the New York Power Authority back in September 1991, he learned early that success, whether at work or in life, comes from preparation and being able to adapt. What he didn’t know then was that those same lessons would one day help his family navigate a completely different world — the 2026 Winter Olympics.

In honor of Jan. 21 being Squirrel Appreciation Day, we recognize squirrels as the furry, cute denizens of our backyards, public parks and woodland habitats. But these small, mischievous creatures wreak havoc on utility infrastructure across the nation. You don’t have to look far to find real-world examples of these usual suspects causing power outages.