The United States Congress Must Protect the Electricity Grid Now

           A solar flare on Saturday that disrupted radio transmissions, recent testimony before the United States Congress about the dangers of solar flares and electromagnetic pulse attacks (EMP), and congressional testimony earlier this year that revealed a number of attacks on electricity transformers, including a damaging sniper attack on an electricity generation plant in California last year, highlight the need for improved security for the electricity grid in the U.S.

Solar flares can not only disrupt radio transmissions, but ruin satellites and produce damaging surges to power plants and the electrical grid.  EMPs would permanently destroy not only power plants and the grid, but also any unprotected electronic equipment, including machines, vehicles, computers and appliances.  Backup electrical power would be scarce.  Much of the U.S. could be in range of a well-placed EMP attack. As it would take years to recover from such a catastrophic event, the destruction of the grid would thus be devastating to modern electricity-dependent civilization. 

            There are a number of steps that can be taken both by the federal government and voluntarily by the electricity industry to deter or limit the damage from attacks.  States also should do their part to defend the electricity grid, but because the grid crosses state lines, federal involvement is essential, in addition the domestic security aspect.  

           Some of the measures that would protect against the most severe threats are not cost prohibitive, especially considering the risk of not protecting the system.  Contingency planning is a form of insurance.  Just as a ballistic missile defense system would deter or at least provide some protection against a nuclear attack (which generate EMPs), greater defense for the electricity grid must be implemented. The East Coast of America continues to be unprotected by missile defense.  There also must be a plan to have backup transformers available, for example.  They are currently imported from Germany and would be difficult to replace with the electricity grid down, especially in the event of an EMP attack.  In addition, the U.S. must continue its cyber security efforts, as the electricity grid is vulnerable to cyber attack.  

           Conservatives should urge the U.S. Congress to lead the effort to protect the electricity grid now.