There are three main regional electrical systems in the United States, the West, the East and Texas. At the heart of the vulnerability are electric-transmission substations. The resulting outage from an attack could last a minimum of eighteen months and probably longer. The impact would essentially send the United States back to the 1800’s with the added negative factor of having a population largely incapable of off-grid survival. Everything from water and fuel pumps to food refrigeration capabilities and distribution are dependent upon the electrical grid. The results of an extended power outage would be catastrophic and would forever alter the complexion and future of America. A critical issue in such an attack is the difficulty in replacing transformers. They are time-consuming and expensive to produce, with a limited amount of production facilities. Most power stations are owned and operated by private companies, with security measures at many as simple as surveillance cameras and chain-link fences. Additionally, many locations are remote and vulnerable to attack, requiring substantial response times and minimal or no staffing. While presently no federal regulations require specific levels of security at substations, they are currently under review. FERC has set a June deadline for proposals to increase security at critical electrical facilities.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 14:17:35 +0000
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