Even if it didn't damage any equipment (which seems unlikely), it would still likely shut down most of the power grid, which would shut down most of the power p

Even if it didn't damage any equipment (which seems unlikely), it would still likely shut down most of the power grid, which would shut down most of the power plants, since they would have nowhere to sink they're output energy. Cold booting the energy grid could take months, during which most of the country would be without power.