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US Power Grid Vulnerable to Just About Everything

Downstream Today -- As Washington hunts ill-defined al-Qaeda groups in the Middle East and Africa, and concerns itself with Iran's eventual nuclear potential, it has a much more pressing problem at home: Its energy grid is vulnerable to anyone with basic weapons and know-how.

Forget about cyber warfare and highly organized terrorist attacks, a lack of basic physical security on the US power grid means that anyone with a gun--like disgruntled Michigan Militia types, for instance--could do serious damage.

For the past two months, the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has been tasked with creating a security strategy for the electric grid and hydrocarbon facilities through its newly created Office of Energy Infrastructure Security. So far, it's not good news.

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Submitted Dec 03, 2012 By: GasPasserAB

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,580 Points:1,605,520 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2012 4:54:02 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse 1006: by what...?
1006 Champion Author Birmingham Posts:1,105 Points:1,351,590 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Dec 8, 2012 4:59:08 AM Ignore 1006 Report Abuse dont worry, we are protected by
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,580 Points:1,605,520 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 8, 2012 2:32:38 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse maybe it's a good time to replace that old junk?
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,580 Points:1,605,520 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 6, 2012 7:17:30 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse some places in Sandy's wrath had equipment that is close to 100 years old [Edited by: honda0105 at 12/6/2012 10:18:27 PM EST]
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,580 Points:1,605,520 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 6, 2012 2:57:43 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse as long as it's above ground it's even more vulnerable.
1006 Champion Author Birmingham Posts:1,105 Points:1,351,590 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Dec 5, 2012 3:44:58 AM Ignore 1006 Report Abuse that is how we have created the dependency on one another and our things.
JCI46009IN Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,129 Points:439,570 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Dec 4, 2012 9:02:52 AM Ignore JCI46009IN Report Abuse and has been for quite sometime
oilfreak All-Star Author Houston Posts:682 Points:36,560 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Dec 4, 2012 8:34:45 AM Ignore oilfreak Report Abuse Time to revamp the whole nation's infrastructure.
blupupher Champion Author Houston Posts:3,528 Points:744,045 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Dec 4, 2012 5:36:34 AM Ignore blupupher Report Abuse one of many infrastructure weaknesses in the US.
gravityhurts Champion Author North Carolina Posts:4,073 Points:933,505 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Dec 4, 2012 4:52:09 AM Ignore gravityhurts Report Abuse Not good.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:32,917 Points:2,341,510 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Dec 4, 2012 12:09:36 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse US Power Grid Vulnerable to Just About Everything, make the electrical grid terrorist and idiot proof. Many things that serve the public are vulnerable, try to keep it as safe as possible from those that want to destroy it. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, vehicle manufactures Produce and the population ‘Drives’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! XII/XXII/MMXII!
SkooterG Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,359 Points:327,085 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 11:22:17 PM Ignore SkooterG Report Abuse Our power grid is a terrible mess.
iFueler Champion Author Durham Posts:64,308 Points:174,750 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 10:12:02 PM Ignore iFueler Report Abuse We are dependent upon electricity and so much more
Ken2OD Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:9,052 Points:1,967,940 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 9:23:37 PM Ignore Ken2OD Report Abuse We are but 10 seconds from reverting back to the STONE AGE. The World STOPS as soon as electricity stops.
RTTT Rookie Author Providence Posts:30 Points:666,875 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 9:19:34 PM Ignore RTTT Report Abuse IT’s pretty sad that were so vulnerable.
CdnLynx Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,018 Points:521,215 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 9:15:35 PM Ignore CdnLynx Report Abuse Downstream link
KrsnaDragon Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,388 Points:527,545 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 9:07:22 PM Ignore KrsnaDragon Report Abuse Broken link, the second (2nd) this evening.
troutbum7 Veteran Author Nevada Posts:304 Points:153,650 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 9:06:16 PM Ignore troutbum7 Report Abuse Could we just make it a bit easier for the bad guys? I also do not like the reference to gun owners that is mentioned but liberals and the media they are running the show. What a ride this is gonna' be. Ever see the movie Dumb and Dumber?
ManOfLeisureII Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:1,859 Points:451,225 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 9:05:43 PM Ignore ManOfLeisureII Report Abuse Buy a generator
arb0526 Champion Author Greensboro Posts:1,956 Points:406,620 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 9:05:38 PM Ignore arb0526 Report Abuse True just like the railroad...vunerable.
bridgerunner Champion Author Virginia Posts:4,767 Points:1,002,835 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 9:04:59 PM Ignore bridgerunner Report Abuse Be prepared!
CarefreeVT Champion Author Burlington Posts:1,789 Points:255,030 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 9:04:54 PM Ignore CarefreeVT Report Abuse source? reference? fact check....
cheaper0ON All-Star Author Ontario Posts:963 Points:394,055 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 9:03:42 PM Ignore cheaper0ON Report Abuse ok
gwill76 Sophomore Author Orlando Posts:168 Points:1,353,345 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 9:03:03 PM Ignore gwill76 Report Abuse This article is vulnerable as well....no link
jcurley Champion Author California Posts:7,877 Points:1,771,115 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 9:02:51 PM Ignore jcurley Report Abuse Yes - broken link. Good luck on getting security requirement updates past the tea PARTY (aka pawns of the rich republican elite) members in congress. They'll fight it, until they're in charge, and then take credit.
rasmataz Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:9,014 Points:1,606,455 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 8:58:35 PM Ignore rasmataz Report Abuse Link doesn't work for me to read the full article. [Edited by: rasmataz at 12/4/2012 12:00:15 AM EST]
Shaduu Veteran Author Twin Cities Posts:315 Points:84,650 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 8:56:26 PM Ignore Shaduu Report Abuse How stupid why not just tell everybody. WTH
CdnLynx Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,018 Points:521,215 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 8:55:34 PM Ignore CdnLynx Report Abuse Energy Jenga! Demand outstripping demand! Eventually won't need a planned disruption (terrorist attack); system overuse will generate implosion!
toadNY Champion Author Albany Posts:7,027 Points:1,510,225 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 8:55:09 PM Ignore toadNY Report Abuse So we band all guns. Just like the UN wants. An obama clinton an all liberals.
blazerbob91 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:6,125 Points:1,879,670 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 8:54:27 PM Ignore blazerbob91 Report Abuse Not just the power grid
Darwin00 All-Star Author Mississippi Posts:827 Points:267,095 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 8:53:34 PM Ignore Darwin00 Report Abuse No surprise here.
fullauto Champion Author Reading Posts:5,300 Points:1,468,065 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 8:52:31 PM Ignore fullauto Report Abuse old and feeble, not maintained.
WIPACKERFAN Champion Author Chicago Posts:8,784 Points:1,839,550 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 8:50:06 PM Ignore WIPACKERFAN Report Abuse Not good news. We've now shown one of our vulnerabilities.
suzmar Champion Author Texas Posts:2,210 Points:869,225 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 8:49:34 PM Ignore suzmar Report Abuse We are always going to be vulnerable.
LCSTEELERBOB Champion Author Gary Posts:2,961 Points:720,030 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 8:48:55 PM Ignore LCSTEELERBOB Report Abuse are we ever going to be safe?????
camel1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:8,255 Points:2,263,590 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 8:48:44 PM Ignore camel1 Report Abuse including too much demand
rrs517 All-Star Author Colorado Posts:908 Points:340,705 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 8:48:08 PM Ignore rrs517 Report Abuse This is a much greater real threat than most people understand.
Bleeder Champion Author Virginia Posts:8,038 Points:1,697,375 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 8:46:29 PM Ignore Bleeder Report Abuse Hopefully we never find out.
SavALot Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:8,454 Points:1,707,835 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 8:44:34 PM Ignore SavALot Report Abuse needs to be shored up in tons of areas
nwsynthetics Champion Author Oregon Posts:1,014 Points:344,475 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 8:40:14 PM Ignore nwsynthetics Report Abuse Great.
OGW Champion Author London Posts:5,324 Points:1,529,650 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 8:39:25 PM Ignore OGW Report Abuse We always keep a generator at home, at our cottage and at our business because you never know what may happen!
serrog Champion Author Nova Scotia Posts:5,549 Points:1,509,205 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 8:36:44 PM Ignore serrog Report Abuse All grida are the same vulnerability
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,048 Points:1,728,210 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 8:29:44 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse sandy proved that
Dragnet Champion Author Arizona Posts:15,390 Points:2,905,735 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 8:27:54 PM Ignore Dragnet Report Abuse We have invented so much junk that sucks up power, to include the automobile that nobody pays attention to, and then we wonder about our power plants and how over worked they get. Our power grid is so messed up that it is amazing that it hasn't just imploded
PissedATthePump All-Star Author Pennsylvania Posts:507 Points:119,580 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 8:25:13 PM Ignore PissedATthePump Report Abuse Headline is very true, but forget about scare mongering with this terrorist crap, the grid can't withstand typical weather extremes.
Canucktree Champion Author Alberta Posts:4,876 Points:1,016,625 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 8:22:57 PM Ignore Canucktree Report Abuse I can't read my iPad by candlelight
drz614 Champion Author Harrisburg Posts:2,284 Points:594,595 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 8:21:25 PM Ignore drz614 Report Abuse of course it is. because it was designed to make power available to everyone. now enforce the laws protecting the border. as thomas paine and g steinbrenner said: lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way
Tucker16 Champion Author Ottawa Posts:1,149 Points:541,130 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 8:17:56 PM Ignore Tucker16 Report Abuse Tis true.
wldhrs1 All-Star Author Alabama Posts:748 Points:152,080 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 8:12:45 PM Ignore wldhrs1 Report Abuse More newly created government agencies. Thats the answer for everything that needs fixing
Gas4Gore Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,401 Points:419,875 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Dec 3, 2012 8:11:37 PM Ignore Gas4Gore Report Abuse History says yes. We just need to prepare for such an occurrence.