Effects of an EMP attack on our critical national infrastructures

By Syndicated Investigative Reporter Michael Webster May 5, 2019 6:00 AM PDT

Electrical power is necessary to support critical and other infrastructures, including supply and distribution of water, food, fuel, communications, transport, financial transactions, emergency services, government services, and all other infrastructures supporting the national economy and welfare of the country. Should significant parts of the electrical power infrastructure be lost for any substantial period of time the consequences are likely to be catastrophic, and many people may ultimately die for lack of the basic elements necessary to sustain life in dense urban and suburban communities. There should be deep concerned that such impacts are likely in the event of an EMP attack unless practical steps are taken to provide protection for critical elements of the electric system and for rapid restoration of electric power, particularly to essential services. The recovery plans for the individual infrastructures currently in place essentially assume, at worst, limited upsets to the other infrastructures that are important to their operation. Such plans may be of little or no value in the wake of an EMP attack because of its long-duration effects on all infrastructures that rely on electricity or electronics.

The physical and social fabric of the United States is sustained by a system of systems; a complex and dynamic network of interlocking and interdependent infrastructures (“critical national infrastructures”) whose harmonious functioning enables the myriad actions, transactions, and information flow that undergird the orderly conduct of civil society in this country. The vulnerability of these infrastructures to threats — deliberate, accidental, and acts of nature — is the focus of greatly heightened concern in the current era, a process accelerated by the events of 9/11 and recent hurricanes, including Katrina, Harvey, Irma, Maria and Rita. This report presents the results of the Commission’s assessment of the effects of a high altitude electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack on our critical national infrastructures.

 Previous official U.S. government studies include reports from the Congressionally-mandated EMP Commission, which operated from 2001 – 2017. These reports anticipate enhanced EMP effects weapons of interest to Russia, China, North Korea and Iran, and perhaps other potential U.S. adversaries.

The latest EPRI report assumes lesser electromagnetic threat levels than the recent EMP Commission did and consequently EPRI predicts that most of the long replacement-time transformers will survive an EMP attack or campaign. The EPRI report did not assess vulnerabilities and protection needs for large power generators that are assessed by most experts as also vulnerable to EMP effects on electronic and control equipment, and potential disruption of fuel and water supply chains on which most electric generation depends.

Fortunately, a March 26th Presidential Executive Order mandates a “Whole of Government” and “Whole of Community” commitment to demonstration and testing programs and prioritized protection for critical infrastructures. The executive order, Coordinating National Resilience to Electromagnetic Pulses, identifies designated government responsibilities and encourages industry-government partnerships to strengthen our national resilience.

We encourage readers of the recent EPRI report to extend their awareness to other reports here cited and to other centers of expertise, and to “Whole of Community” preparedness.

Sources:

Research arm of the electric utility industry, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). The report, “High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse and the Bulk-Power System,” is available for free download at www.epri.com

. www.firstempcommission.org).