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Report: U.S. Electric Infrastructure ‘Inherently Vulnerable’ to Terrorist Attacks

Nov. 16, 2012 11:12am Liz Klimas

National Academy of Sciences Report Finds Power Grid Vulnerable to Attacks and Storms

(Image: Shutterstock.com)

If Hurricane Sandy’s impact on the power supply on the East Coast is any indication, a terrorist attack on the electrical grid could have devastating effects. A new report released Wednesday by the National Academy of Sciences has only confirmed the need for improved infrastructure protection from both terrorism and natural disasters.

NAS described the current system as “inherently vulnerable” due to its widespread nature and poor security of facilities. The press release on the report stated that things only got worse for infrastructure security in the 1990s when legislation meant to introduce competition ended up putting a strain the high-voltage system. Age and old technology are factors as well.

“Power system disruptions experienced to date in the United States, be they from natural disasters or malfunctions, have had immense economic impacts,” M. Granger Morgan, professor and head of the department of engineering and public policy at Carnegie Mellon University and chair of the committee that wrote the report, said in a statement. “Considering that a systematically designed and executed terrorist attack could cause disruptions even more widespread and of longer duration, it is no stretch of the imagination to think that such attacks could produce damage costing hundreds of billions of dollars.”

Here are some of the recommendations for improvements made in the report:

Stockpile recovery transformers that are smaller than our current high-voltage transformers. The report says although these smaller transformers are not as efficient, they would help with restoring efforts.
To ensure cybersecurity, limit connections with the Internet, when possible. When it’s not possible, the report recommends high-quality security systems that include measures that can limit operator error and planned attacks.
The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Energy should assess regional vulnerabilities that would occur in the event of an extended power outage and develop methods to reduce identified vulnerabilities. Provide guidelines and tools for municipalities to conduct “self-assessments.”

The New York Times pointed out a few more specific recommendations:

The report urges that cheaper ways be found to put power lines underground, which would protect them from some effects of storms, and also calls for changes in infrastructure that would reduce the kind of mutual dependencies that result in wider blackouts. For example, more traffic lights could run on high-efficiency L.E.D. lamps and be equipped with batteries, and small generators could be placed in spots where power is needed for pumping water. The natural gas system could be equipped with pumps that run on natural gas instead of electricity so that the system would survive an extended blackout.

And if you thought it seemed to take an unreasonable amount of time to restore power to the East Coast after Sandy, the Associated Press looked into comparable storm-related outages and found the timing wasn’t unusual.

New York City during the late October power outages caused by Hurricane Sandy. (Photo: Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

After Sandy, New York utilities restored power to at least 95 percent of customers 13 days after the peak number of outages was reported. New Jersey reached that same level in 11 days and West Virginia in 10 days.

Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma in 2005 and Ike in 2008 all resulted in longer outages for customers in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Florida.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Featured image via Shutterstock.com.

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Comments (46)

ThreeDee
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 7:09pm
I am in agreement with regard to system vulnerability. I have laid out on paper at one time (and subsequently destroyed said works) a device which would use system power at transmission line voltage levels to create an energy feedback which would, at the end of its cycle, short itself out completely thereby creating an enormous energy spike across the know electromagnetic spectrum. This energy spike would be an electromagnetic pulse and would use the entire power grid as its “antenna” for transmitting this pulse. The person who looked over the hypothesis, having far greater training and experience than I, stated that with a little “tweaking” (my theory training is lacking…) it would likely burn itself up in around four minutes, and shut down the power grid and its outer attached grids in around 9 minutes. (He wasn’t certain of the time figures, but thought it would be close.) The drawback would be the enormity of cost of said device. Billions!

So, yeah, the system is vulnerable if a lowly radio operator/experimenter such as myself can figure it out.

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- hard.right
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 9:52pm
  whatever…goofball
  
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nighttrainno9
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 4:46pm
Our electrical infrastruture is much more vulnerable to the
idiots in washington than it is to terrorists. Just the fact
that washington talks about it means they are once again
planning something despicable. Maybe they are planning
another false flag event or maybe to create mass panic and chaos.
Whatever it is, we will know soon, the dictator can’t wait.

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- The Jewish Avenger
  Posted on November 19, 2012 at 8:17am
  Another 9/11 for certain
  
  oh I know… its crazy to even think that was a staged event.
  
  But Obamas gones are trying to think
  
  And there is the danger.
  
  Report this comment
ResistSocialism
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 3:54pm
Wow that is surprising. Not!

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Arshloch
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 3:47pm
No use wasting money on a fix. obummer will have ended the fuel supply and shut the industry down long before an attack or storm can.

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ssain2001
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 2:07pm
Instead of repairing the grid we need to move toward distributed power generation. Reduce the amount of power wasted (dissipated as heat due to resistance in the grid) and reduce the vulnerability. Fuels cells are the answer. Bloom Energy and others are the solution. Convert solar and wind to hydrogen for use during dark hours. Also power fuel cells using natural gas, biogas or other fossil fuels.

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- TeslanEdison
  Posted on November 25, 2012 at 8:33am
  Well I’d say liquid hydrogen, as gaseous hydrogen is very hard to control under pressure, even at NASA.
  Larger more efficient batteries and create your hydrogen on demand from sea water.. thus evading the liberal water conspiracy. What we really need is a plasma bottle, a static field where energy can be pumped into an plasma state, and where the losses are relativity low. Tesla was experimenting with this, and he made some headway sadly we have nothing to compare it to today. I wish I would have really understood Tesla when I was in high school, probably would have gone into science instead of media. Science is so extremely dumb ed down in most high schools, if I had home-schooled I’d have been in college 2 years earlier instead of having quarter and half days my JR and SR year because I finished all the credits they had available.
  
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raderby
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 1:55pm
well, now, I thought this was already part of a few reports in the last 10-12 years. Nice to keep the info fresh for the terrorists – give them a nudge to do more for BHO.

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fatsomann
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 1:55pm
Duh.

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- Wolf
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 6:06pm
  Ya think? ROFL.
  
  Report this comment
WhatsUp
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 1:16pm
Forget about being vulnerable to terrorist attacks. . .our electric sub stations/power lines are already under attack from. . .Squirrels!!! We consistently lose power at least 2x a month (and our lines are all under ground except at/near the substation). . .we are consistently told that they are trying to figure out how to keep the squirrels out of the substation. . .that it’s the squirrels that are causing us to lose power! Terrorists have nothing on squirrels!

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- midnightsun
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 1:37pm
  Whatsup, I have the same problem at my place. They are constantly getting into the transformer out back of my house!
  
  Report this comment
Xyskalla
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 1:07pm
How about hardening our system to protect it against an EMP attack? That’s probably the biggest threat to our national security.

Several years ago, Glenn recommended a novel about the survivors after an EMP attack, called “One Second After” by William R. Forstchen. It’s a good read and it will scare the snot out of you.

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- GhostOfJefferson
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 1:17pm
  Do you know what it takes to harden anything against EMP? Look it up. Now apply that on an order of magnitude by a million. Good luck with that.
  
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- Lamarr01
  Posted on November 17, 2012 at 3:15am
  On October 26, Boeing successfully tested an EMP missile that will disable selected targets on its flight path. A focused EMP can cause damage to electronics and electrical equipment. Israel undoubtedly has these weapons and can easily shut down electricity over a small or large area in Iran or Egypt. Happy WWIII.
  
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loriann12
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 12:36pm
Wow, something I never considered. I thought it was about unions, not letting non-union workers in. But it’s another apology tour for Obama…he’s letting the world know if they knock our power out, it will be out for weeks or months. He could have gotten that power back on sooner, but he chose not to lead. That’s a signal to the rest of the world.

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- GhostOfJefferson
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 12:50pm
  Or, here’s food for thought, this is the ramp up to massive infrastructure spending that will primarily benefit union workers.
  
  Just speculation of course.
  
  Report this comment
MrKnowItAll
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 12:34pm
That’s why I advise you to Pay the Extra and get Laser’s on your Weapons.

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- Wolf
  Posted on November 17, 2012 at 7:04am
  Good idea- with a lazer you can play Etch A Sketch on their shirt.
  
  Report this comment
Delores at CH WV
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 12:31pm
So, why haven’t they fixed this problem over the last 50 years when they could budget it.

With Obama raising rates, I can’t see how the companies can afford any updates. Our experience is they wait for the trees completely break the lines; then, they take days to get the electricity back on. The employees love that overtime which makes the electricity cost more.

Well, my solution is to get totally off the grid; use other power sourses like dirty coal, gas, and oil. Maybe the coal, oil, and gas workman can go back to work to support their families. Maybe we could get some of those gasoline or Hydroengines to help with the energy crisis.

We could take all the copper down off the power poles and sell it to China to get some of that gold they bought from selling their cheap stuff to America. We could use lamp oil or olive oil lamps instead of buying more Chinese overpriced bulbs that are poison. If we get off the grid, we would never have to sit in our homes freezing and losing all the food in the freezers.

I’m in for exploring ways to replace the grid; Electricity can be generated in your community without these large grids that take the entire region down and hold us hostage. It makes sense to put the lines underground along with our homes. There still are millions of people who live without electricity all over the world. I think Americans can solve this problem; but, we will have to throw out all of these regulations. It time to get involved

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revelation2012
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 12:24pm
what do ‘they’ want ‘now’

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GhostOfJefferson
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 12:11pm
Everything is vulnerable to attacks by psychotics. You’re not even safe from attacks in prisons, even if you’re a guard, and they’re completely locked down.

Sorry, but to run around screaming fear is unbecoming of an American.

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- spfoam1
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 1:07pm
  Was it unbecoming of Americans to point out the threat of a Soviet nuclear first strike? If the subject was about the risk of being shot by jihadists at the grocery store I would agree with your “running around screaming fear” comment.
  
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- GhostOfJefferson
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 1:20pm
  Actually, a lot of the Cold War was little more than national level emotional histrionics. I’m not saying that the USSR wasn’t a clear threat, but one need not run around screaming “Reds” (or in this case “Terruh-ists!”) at every perceived issue that may need to be dealt with. Sometimes, if there is an issue, a calm presentation of the case can be made without resorting to emotionalistic key words and phrases.
  
  For example “Hey, a lot of our electrical infrastructure is quite aged. We are due for an upgrade. It will help us weather adverse weather conditions better, streamline our operations, and provide more consistent electrical service”. See? Same thing, no need to try and invoke the Fear Words.
  
  Report this comment
randy
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:59am
I’m sure when Obama met with the Muslim Brotherhood, he brought this National Academy of Sciences report up to his buddies.

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Dismayed Veteran
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:50am
I would have thought the east coast brownout years ago would have been a clue.

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spfoam1
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:41am
All our enemies have known about this vulnerability for a long time, as it is obvious. We should consider an attack on our power grid the same as a nuclear attack, and respond accordingly if it happens. It is not comforting to know that the current administration considers terrorist attacks a criminal act by individuals and not an act of war. This kind of policy encourages attacks, so be prepared for the ligihts to go out, for a long time.

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skiz
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:40am
Ya think?

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Chromo200
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:40am
Let us see what the Administration is going to do .. I know build more solar power plants, Wind Energy Farms. Give more money to phony companies like Solyndra. Forget the infrastructure This will keep union people in works after each attack.

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ICanComment
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:32am
Profound conclusions from this report:

1. Use what works in a pinch and keep spare components on hand. (This is really cerebral stuff)

2. Don’t connect important infrastructure to the Internet
(Hey, let’s control the power plant via a Facebook app!)

3. I like the third recommendation: bring in fearless leader to assess regional vulnerabilities. At least for the second part they recommend self assessments.

Seems like every municipality is much better off independently securing itself. That way things are much more compartmentalized than with a top down, federal approach.

I will say that in recent years, with a moderate to major power disruption just about every year, the local utilities seem to have made the recovery process a lot more efficient. (At least where I am.)

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- 1776boy
  Posted on November 17, 2012 at 2:48am
  learn how to do things without using power learn self reliance and know how to do things the “old way”
  and find other people you can depend on
  
  Report this comment
pwatkins
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:25am
I knew this was coming from the progressives and this administration…our way or no way.

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- Mugatu
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 5:05pm
  Right, since the issues only started 4 years ago, before 2010 the grids were in perfect working order, luckily we keep cutting spending so no need for any kind of update.
  
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AmericanStrega
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:21am
I’m really glad this report came out. Otherwise I would never have had a clue (sarc off).

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- EM2T93
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:41am
  lol…no kidding. I’m also glad that we can report our vulnerabilities all the time, all the while no one is doing anything about it. Just keep giving them more ideas…
  
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Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:21am
What?!?!? Terrrorist?!?!?!? OMG!!!!!

So Big Sis and DHS, what can I do? You just need more control over companies and industry and people’s choices and and options? And you promise you’ll keep me safe from “terrorists”? Sounds like a deal to me. /sarc

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- ICanComment
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:34am
  Help me, fearless leader… you’re my only hope!
  (repeat transmission over and over)
  
  “You can’t assess your own vulnerabilities. Here, let us help. We’ll just take over this, and this, and this… Now, don’t you feel safer?”
  
  Report this comment
- GhostOfJefferson
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 12:52pm
  Yep, I already noted the tired fear tactics in my first post on the thread. They know all they have to do is throw out a few key words “terruh-ists!” and they can pretty much write their own cheques to be cashed for whatever amount they deem.
  
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conservativeblackman
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:20am
Is it a good idea to advertise this to our enemys?

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- Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:25am
  Is it a good idea to believe it?
  
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- ICanComment
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:38am
  Well, I think there is definitely truth in there being vulnerability, and I do believe from observation that the threat is real. However, like everything else, it’s being exploited as a crisis that shouldn’t go to waste.
  
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- NobleDar
  Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:39am
  This is not a good idea to advertise the weakness, but the cat was let out of the bag a long time ago. I worked in the generating industry for 30 years and the vulnerabilities are what they are, you cannot protect our system from terrorism. I could shut down every power grid in the country with a few well place rifle shots and never entering the power facillities. The money the Corp of Engineers and the Bureau of Land Management spent for upgrading security at the facilities was a big siphon hose to beef their budgets. I’ve never seen such a farce and misinformation campaign.
  
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on November 16, 2012 at 11:17am
Translation, the Feds want more control over our lives and industries and if they are not given it they will do executive orders and ‘wag the dog’ moments to cause ‘events’ to happen and then seize the power on their own.

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