LOL
Kinda funny in some ways.
We have an electrical intertie between Anchorage and Fairbanks that sees Geomagnetic Storm induced currrents in the 100s of amperes. The system seems to have no problems.
THere are several large Fiber Optic systems between AK and the L57 that see large voltage flucuations from Geomagnetic Storms. They still work due to the protective equipment built in.
The US is LESS exposed as much of the communications infrastructure is now F/O and not copper. Most comm equipment from major carriers is already ‘hardened’ - so Geomagnetic Storm related issues should be minimal.
More and more major transmission lines are SWER - which have less issues with Geomagnetic Storm induced currents. One major system, for example, runs from Delta UT (IPP) to LA and seems to work just fine.
What is with the “EMP ends civilization as we know it” fixation so many seem to have?
This fixation, as you call it, doesn’t seem to be a figment of imagination. Congress was given a lengthy report, just about the same time as the 9/11 report came out, detailing just how vulnerable our system is to an EMP. They don’t seem to think it’s funny.
http://www.empcommission.org/docs/empc_exec_rpt.pdf