Anyone who read William R. Forstchen's book "One Second After" probably did find reason to panic somewhere between its covers, because the aftermath of an EMP attack wiping out the electric grid would not be pleasant.
We all hope the government agencies and utility companies are doing what they can to harden the system to prevent failure. But we can never be sure until we are tested.
Anyway, it's mildly reassuring to see Mark Weatherford 's article titled: Preparation, not panic, is best way to meet threat of potential EMP attack. Here's an excerpt:
The electric sector is conducting research to identify best practices for mitigation around both EMP and GMD, including hardware solutions to protect equipment. So, before engaging in political efforts that call for the immediate hardening of all 55,000 substations across North America, we need a more comprehensive technical understanding of the risk and the costs of protection, not to mention a broader appreciation of the unintended consequences. The electric sector is working with the Departments of Energy and Homeland Security, NERC, FERC, the Electric Power Research Institute, the National Labs, and other entities to model and understand what it takes to effectively mitigate against and recover from a GMD or EMP event.
Although the grid can never be 100 percent secured from all potential dangers, the industry is managing the EMP threat in tangible and proportionate ways. With every incident, including GMD and large storms, the industry is learning — and the grid is getting better-equipped to handle evolving threats. This knowledge creates a compounding effect of lessons learned that ultimately help the sector meet challenges presented by many threats, including EMPs.
It's good to know they aren't burying their heads in the sand. Meanwhile, the rest of us should learn to stop worrying and love the bomb. Although it may not be a bad idea to stock up on non-perishable food, water, and ammo to last until a foreign force takes over the country.
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