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Effects of an EMP attack on our critical national infrastructures
Effects of an EMP
attack on our critical national infrastructures
By Syndicated
Investigative Reporter Michael Webster May 5, 2019 6:00 AM PDT
Electrical power is necessary to support critical and
other infrastructures, including supply and distribution of water, food, fuel,
communications, transport,
financial transactions, emergency services, government services, and all other
infrastructures supporting the national economy and welfare of the country.
Should significant parts of the electrical power infrastructure be lost for any
substantial period of time the consequences are likely to be catastrophic, and
many people may ultimately die for lack of the basic elements necessary to
sustain life in dense urban and suburban communities. There should be deep
concerned that such impacts are likely in the event of an EMP attack unless
practical steps are taken to provide protection for critical elements of the
electric system and for rapid restoration of electric power, particularly to
essential services. The recovery plans for the individual infrastructures
currently in place essentially assume, at worst, limited upsets to the other
infrastructures that are important to their operation. Such plans may be of
little or no value in the wake of an EMP attack because of its long-duration
effects on all infrastructures that rely on electricity or electronics.
The physical and social fabric of the United States is
sustained by a system of systems; a complex and dynamic network of interlocking
and interdependent infrastructures (“critical national infrastructures”) whose
harmonious functioning enables the myriad actions, transactions, and
information flow that undergird the orderly conduct of civil society in this
country. The vulnerability of these infrastructures to threats — deliberate,
accidental, and acts of nature — is the focus of greatly heightened concern in
the current era, a process accelerated by the events of 9/11 and recent
hurricanes, including Katrina, Harvey, Irma, Maria and Rita. This report
presents the results of the Commission’s assessment of the effects of a high
altitude electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack on our critical national
infrastructures.
Previous official U.S. government
studies include reports from the Congressionally-mandated EMP Commission, which
operated from 2001 – 2017. These reports anticipate enhanced EMP effects
weapons of interest to Russia, China, North Korea and Iran, and perhaps other
potential U.S. adversaries.
The latest EPRI report assumes lesser electromagnetic threat
levels than the recent EMP Commission did and consequently EPRI predicts that
most of the long replacement-time transformers will survive an EMP attack or
campaign. The EPRI report did not assess vulnerabilities and protection needs
for large power generators that are assessed by most experts as also vulnerable
to EMP effects on electronic and control equipment, and potential disruption of
fuel and water supply chains on which most electric generation depends.
Fortunately,
a March 26th Presidential Executive Order mandates a “Whole of Government” and
“Whole of Community” commitment to demonstration and testing programs and
prioritized protection for critical infrastructures. The executive order, Coordinating National Resilience to
Electromagnetic Pulses, identifies designated government responsibilities
and encourages industry-government partnerships to strengthen our national
resilience.
We encourage
readers of the recent EPRI report to extend their awareness to other reports
here cited and to other centers of expertise, and to “Whole of Community”
preparedness.
Sources:
Research arm of the
electric utility industry, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). The
report, “High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse and the Bulk-Power System,” is
available for free download at www.epri.com
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