[jimmyray]

Article makes sense, except for this tidbit:

...and a transformer manufacturer...

What, they couldn't be imported? And how hard would it be for someone else to gear up and build transformers. It's not like it rocket science.

[Black Agnes]

We no longer have the capability, domestically, to build the largest transformers. Those are made in China with an approximate 18m lead time.

Assuming the Chicoms didn’t arrange our power outage to begin with and are amenable to accepting our dollars at that point. Dollars that might be worthless in the event of a grid down...

[meatloaf]

That part about the transformer manufacturer doesn't make sense. There was another report that analyzed the effects of an EMP or another Carrington Event. That would likely damage the main transformers at power stations that connect the gernerators to the switch yards. Those are big and long lead items. To my knowledge the only plant in North America that builds them belongs to ABB. that plant is located in Canada. The Westinghouse plant that used to build them in Muncie was closed. There are several plants that build substation sized transformers. Of course, I may be confused. This is a picture of one of the main transformers destined for a power plant. The one shown someplace in Europe is being transported by a Schnabel Car. The same rail cars are used for that in this country. That's another problem. There aren't many of those cars in North America.

[ForYourChildren]

I worked in the utility industry and have been in a number of substations. Those transformers are huge. While I am not the transformer expert I remember people saying that they are built to order and take about 9 months or more to build, then there would be the installation and testing.

[ImaGraftedBranch]

I know a guy that works for the #2 transformer building company in the world. Yes, it is rocket science, and most large transformers are custom built to spec, in contract negotiations that last years.
Tens of millions for the big ones.

[Ozark Tom]

Those transformers are like building a locomotive.