Feds And Utilities Face Off Over The Electromagnetic Pulse Threat Coming In 2014

Business Insider ^ | April 23, 2012 | F. Michael Maloof

[JerseyanExile]

As scientists warn of an impending solar storm between now and 2014 that could collapse the national power grid, thrusting millions into darkness instantly, a debate has flared up between utilities and the federal government on the severity of such an event.

NASA and the National Academy of Sciences previously confirmed to G2Bulletin that an electromagnetic pulse event from an intense solar storm could occur any time between now and 2014.

They say it could have the effect of frying electronics and knocking out transformers in the national electric grid system.

Already, there are separate published reports of massive solar storms of plasma – some as large as the Earth itself – flaring off of the sun's surface and shooting out into space, with some recently having come close enough to Earth to affect worldwide communications and alter the flights of commercial aircraft near the North Pole.

But in February, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, which represents the power industry, issued a stunning report asserting that a worst-case geomagnetic "super storm" like the 1859 Carrington Event likely wouldn't damage most power grid transformers. Instead, it would cause voltage instability and possibly result in blackouts lasting only a few hours or days, but not months and years.

NERC's assertion, however, is at serious variance with the 2008 congressional EMP Commission, the 2008 National Academy of Sciences report; a 2010 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission report; the 2012 report by the Defense Committee of the British Parliament, and others.

[SpinnerWebb]

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

[Vinnie]

Faraday Cage..
Gun safe?
Are dry cell batteries vulnerable?

[NCDave]

[tired&retired]

Don’t forget the tin foil hat!

[outofsalt]

Blinded by the light, ping.

[theBuckwheat]

It is just imprudent to have this vulnerability.

And speaking of infrastructure that is vulnerable, solar cells are going to be rendered inoperative with any EMP (man-made or natural) that induces more than a few hundred volts and there is no way to prevent it due to their very architecture.

[tired&retired]

Actually, I do expect something to happen as the magnetosphere which protects us from these blasts is decreasing in strength. Earth’s forcefield is becoming weaker. However, I always love to add a little humor to the topic.

[Idaho_Cowboy]

“Everything in our modern society depends, directly or indirectly, upon electricity, including all the other critical infrastructures – communications, transportation, banking and finance, food and water – that sustain modern civilization and the lives of 300 million Americans,” he said.

“If a great geomagnetic storm proves to be catastrophic, as all previous U.S. government studies have warned would be the case, the NERC could be responsible for contributing to an unprecedented national catastrophe,” Pry added.

Read more: http://g2bulletin.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=4451#ixzz1sttkADu2
-—From the article.

Sounds like an excuse to have the Federal government takeover infrastructure “for our safety.”

[lonevoice]

Ping!

[null and void]

ping

[Steely Tom]

I bet I know the answer. It goes something like this.

• the Department of Energy - under the stewardship of certified mental giant Dr. Steven Chu - takes over entire electrical system of the United States...
• Electrical rates immediatly quadruple in most markets...
• Rolling blackouts are instituted, at first during night-time hours, but are soon extended to "24-7 coverage." This is to do much needed upgrades to "our nations energy infrastrucure," upgrades the power companies, with their profit motive, were too irresponsible to do...
• To help low-income electricity consumers cope with the large rate jump, a complex system of subsidies is instituted. The new Federal Electricity Czar, John Corzine, announces that this program will be administered by a partnership involving the Natural Resources Defense Council and ACORN. Long-term finanical management and back-office operations will be handled by Goldman Sachs...
• Within 30 days of implementation, Dr. Chu will explain that "we didn't realize how bad the problems really were," and that henceforth electrical supplies to suburbs and rural areas will be switched off during all but "tax-relevent hours..."
• Within three months, the EPA will announce new, draconian regulations against small Diesel gensets, the installation of which has undergone explosive growth. New carbon-based taxes on small generators for home and small business use will make energy from these sources "competitive" with that delivered by the federally-owned electrical utility system.

About a year after this new scheme is enacted, the news will come out that the EMP threat is much more amorphous than initially thought. The "threat interval" will be extended from 2014 until 2024, and estimates of its intensity will be cut back substantially. This news will be covered on the internet and, therefore, available to the small number of people who still are able to get internet service. The major national media will neglect to mention it.

[TangoLimaSierra]

Faraday Cage.. Gun safe? Are dry cell batteries vulnerable?

Don't know about batteries but I think a good gun safe might work if it is well grounded. I'm sure we have Freepers who know for sure.

[Vinnie]

Don’t forget the tin foil hat!

That will just protect my head?
I'm gonna play it safe and get a tin foil cup too. :^)

[maine yankee]

Alumminum butt plug ?

[Carriage Hill]

That’s so close to *reality*, it’s scary.

[Iron Munro]

If it will effectively destroy the federal government it can't be all bad.

[Young Werther]

Dec 23rd is the end of time vis a vis the Mayan prediciton.

If we survive that event there is the Asteroid which arrives in the early part of next year and another Tungusta explosion occurrs.

Then again we can eat and absord the protective shield of this Armored Catfish!

Pass the lemon sauce!

[Mr. Lucky]

Yeah, make fun if you want. But after the 1859 solar flares, it was over 50 years until most American homes had electricity.

[mo]

Y2K reprise?