"But another solution would be to move to a distributed energy system of microgrids and renewable, and modular nuclear power generation that could operate both with and off the main grid."

That would be a nice solution to move to, Len, if it was practical or affordable. Here's what's happening in practice:

1. Affluent people in gated communities are buying natural gas or diesel generators. They're taking no responsibility for their emissions, and locking in dependence on fossil fuel for decades to come.
2. Some will buy solar arrays while there's still a federal investment tax credit, but the ITC ends in 2022.
3. Fewer customers shrink PG&E's revenue base, leading to higher costs for grid customers and less funding for grid maintenance.
4. Elimination of efficiencies of scale results in even higher emissions and even greater risk of fire (ask an electrical engineer).
5. By the time problems are recognized, there's no turning back. Does any American, in 2020, voluntarily give up a personal freedom in the name of public safety? (Hint: look at gun control).
6. Practical grid batteries remain a naïve fantasy.

Electricity Outages Lead to Substantial Backup Generator Purchases

Microgrids? Been there, done that. Forgotten disasters from over a century ago have apparently become lessons we're doomed to learn again.

An interesting thought-experiment. Although transmission will look very different at the end of the century than it does today, it is still likely to be have a place in our electrical infrastructure. We do need to take a hard look at our relationship to this infrastructure and challenge existing norms and assumptions. Challenging our current mindset by asking us to contemplate a world without an electric grid is a good first step.