[GOPJ]

My concern about an EMP attack is how would we get the power grid back up without electricity. Do we have a coal burning power plant NOT run by computers that could be the 'match' to get the system back up and running?

[ShadowAce]

No.

[DuncanWaring]

I remember back around 1969 or 1970 a hurricane hit Hawaii and knocked out all commercial electrical generating stations on one of the islands.

They then had a problem in that they didn’t have anything that could produce enough power to “energize the field coils” (or something like that) of the generators.

The USN arranged for a nuke submarine to pull up to the dock and essentially “jump-start” the island.

I remember the photo in the newspaper; the cable looked to be about the size of your leg.

[SonsOfCollins_Wallace]

There is no way to get the power back inside of 2-3 years if the EMP event is large scale enough, coal or otherwise (if coastal ports/docks are out then its 3-5 years).
The distribution system [substations and overhead distribution lines] is what goes down first and then the transformers (all in a few microseconds)
The large transformers are NOT readily available even now as they take 6-12 months (and at $10+millions) to make and then you have to transport them from the docks (most are NOT manufactured in US anymore, so getting them here is a problem too) to the site via a LARGE tractor-trailer rig.

EMP takes out ALL electronic devices that are not in a Faraday cage structure.
Diodes and capacitors and transistors and ICchips are what control most equipment and are the most vulnerable.
Any car after 1972 will be toast and need a complete replacement of its electronic ignition system [if you just happen to have a replacement kit somewhere safe].