Large U.S. utilities are joining forces to stockpile critical pieces of electrical equipment that can be rushed to power companies if they are hit by terrorist attacks, earthquakes or other disasters that could cause extended blackouts.

The growth of reverse logistics could trigger a surge in demand for warehouses and distribution centers to support the flow of returns that current facilities, built around the traditional forward movement of goods, can’t efficiently handle.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services, the federal agency that oversees the H-1B visa program, began accepting applications for fiscal 2017. The demand for foreign skilled worker visas, coveted by tech companies, is expected to far outstrip supply again this year, likely prompting the government to hold a lottery.

Much more is highlighted in A Look Ahead.