Concerns over the power grid and the aging electric infrastructure are nothing new and didn’t just come to “light” during this (as much as I hate it) administration.
The EMP Commission referenced in the article above was established pursuant to title XIV of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (as enacted into law by Public Law 106-398; 114 Stat. 1654A-345).
Accessible, abundant, and affordable electric power is one of the cornerstones of the U.S. economy. On February 6, 2003 President Bush highlighted the need to “...modernize our electric delivery system...for economic security...and for national security.” The U.S. Department of Energy is committed to leading a national effort to do this.
https://www.ferc.gov/eventcalendar/Files/20050608125055-grid-2030.pdf
Why can't this probing and testing of the grid be conducted via computerized projections and analyses? Or quietly on a local/regional scale? Why the sudden "emergency" exercises, aided by several fedgov LE that shut down the entire continent's power grid? What have we to do with Mexico? Why coincidentally must the cyber elements/system also be shut down?
Where are you getting that they are “shutting down the entire continent's power grid” or “that cyber elements/system (are) also being shut down?” A “simulation” is exactly what is being done and a similar drill was conducted by NERC in November of 2011. Do you recall the entire power grid shutting down in November of 2011?
http://www.nerc.com/pa/CI/CIPOutreach/Pages/GridEX.aspx
About NERC*
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation is a not-for-profit entity whose mission is to ensure the reliability of the Bulk-Power System in North America. NERC develops and enforces Reliability Standards; annually assesses seasonal and long-term reliability; monitors the Bulk-Power System through system awareness; and educates, trains and certifies industry personnel. As the electric reliability organization, NERC is subject to oversight by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and is under similar obligations in Canada, as well as a portion of Baja California Norte, Mexico
http://www.nerc.com/AboutNERC/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.nerc.com/AboutNERC/keyplayers/Pages/default.aspx
No, I don't think you DO understand. Are power companies owned privately OR by the government?
No, I think you do not understand. While many local power generation and deliver companies are privately owned, they all feed into the larger grid. A large enough failure in one part of the grid, even if initially a localized event, can have a cascading effect on the rest of the grid. The 1989 solar storm that knocked out power in Quebec Canada per the article I posted, put a strain on the NE American power grid:
New York Power lost 150 megawatts the moment the Quebec power grid went down. The New England Power Pool lost 1,410 megawatts at about the same time. Service to 96 electrical utilities in New England was interrupted while other reserves of electrical power were brought online. Luckily, the U.S. had the power to spare at the time…but just barely. Across the United States from coast to coast, over 200 power grid problems erupted within minutes of the start of the March 13 storm. Fortunately none of these caused a blackout.
Like it or not, our power grid is interconnected to parts of Canada and parts of northern Mexico.
Also:
Q: Who owns the electric system?
A: Investor-owned utilities account for ownership of over 50% of net generation and almost 80% of transmission. Public-owned utilities and cooperatives, along with the Federal power agencies, account for approximately 25% of net generation and almost all of the remaining transmission. Independent power producers account for the remaining 25% of net generation.
Q: Who runs the grid?
A: There are many individuals involved in running the grid. There are generator operators and transmission owners. But from a system perspective, one of the most critical entities is the independent system operator or regional transmission organizations (ISOs and RTOs *). They monitor system loads and voltage profiles; operate transmission facilities and direct generation; define operating limits and develop contingency plans; and implement emergency procedures.
Reliability coordinators also play an essential role. For instance, NERC* (North American Electric Reliability Corporation) develops and enforces reliability standards; monitors the bulk power system; assesses future adequacy; audits owners, operators, and users for preparedness; and educates and trains industry personnel.
Q: How is electricity regulated?
A: The Federal government, through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, regulates interstate power sales and service. State governments, through their public utility commissions or equivalent, regulate retail electric service as well as facility planning and siting.
Q: What is a national corridor?
A: The Department of Energy has designated two National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (National Corridors) – the Mid-Atlantic Area National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor, and the Southwest Area National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor. These corridors include areas in two of the Nation's most populous regions with growing electricity congestion problems. The Department based its designations on data and analysis showing that persistent transmission congestion exists in these two areas.
Q: Are we connected to other countries?
A: The Northeast blackout of August 14, 2003 made the point clear – the North American electric system is interconnected. 8 U.S. states and 1 Canadian province were affected by this reliability event, with 50 million people without power and between $5-12 billion in lost economic activity.
U.S. trade in electric energy with Canada and Mexico is rising, bringing economic and reliability benefits to the United States and its trading partners. Within the Office of Electricity Delivery & Energy Reliability the electricity import/export team is responsible for authorizing the export of electric energy and the issuance of permits for the construction, connection, operation, and/or maintenance of electric transmission facilities at the international border.
http://energy.gov/oe/information-center/educational-resources/electricity-101#ppl1
(ISOs and RTOs *) http://www.isorto.org/site/c.jhKQIZPBImE/b.2604471/
http://www.isorto.org/site/c.jhKQIZPBImE/b.2603917/k.B00F/About.htm
"Evil intent" is exactly how Hussein rolls. Neither he OR his minions give a rip about the North American power grid OR cyber elements -- unless it help them manipulate either source.
While I do not trust Obama or his “minions” one wit I don’t think this drill is cause for any great concern or cause for large investments in bulk tin foil. For this to be a coordinated effort by Obama to shut down the power grid in order to, I don’t know – establish marshal law (?), there would have to be thousands of other people involved including employees of the local power companies, the regional transmission providers, and all LEO agencies and all the people involved in this drill. I’m justifiably paranoid at times but only when for justifiable reasons. This IMO is not one of them.
Again, if a solar storm or EMP attack or a coordinated cyber attack by Iran for instance, managed to shut down large portions or the entire power grid and the local power companies, the regional ISOs and RTOs, the local and the federal government were all left with their pants down around their ankles and totally unprepared for such an event, we’d all be screaming – “WHY NOT!” “Why didn’t they test systems for vulnerabilities and conduct simulations and drills to prepare for such?”
There is NO reason for several fedgov LE agencies to be involved -- unless you find their participation in the "drill" benign as well?
As has been stated elsewhere:
"Whenever the government plans a 'drill' it means something 'totally unplanned and catastrophic' will occur. Boston Marathon Bombing happened during a 'drill,' 7/7 London bombing happened during a 'drill' and 9/11 happened during a nationwide 'drill.'”
The one has "Ooops, sorry for the chaos and anarchy" written all over it.
The disaster drill is being described as a crisis practice unlike anything the real power grid has ever experienced. The GridEX II drill Nov. 13-14 will focus primarily on how governments will react if the electrical grid fails and, for instance, the food supply chain collapses.