Six million people were left without power for nine hours, with significant economic loss.

What then has happened with regard to cases of economic loss?

Direct economic losses, according to the report, would be at least $300 billion.

But long-term medical costs and economic losses are often far higher.

The courts have taken the view that this is economic loss.

Who should pay for damage or economic loss is in dispute.

The standard policy would provide $1 million in coverage against economic losses.

When all future earnings were considered, the study said the full economic loss to the 2,228 people who died and their survivors was $2.9 billion.

The bill was passed despite warnings of legal problems and potential economic losses for the state.

"The national economic loss may easily have topped $1 billion," the report said.