PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – United States Northern Command sponsored a scenario-driven electric power grid terrorism seminar here May 23 which provided a forum for the 65 participants to build relationships, refine coordination procedures and de-conflict responsibilities relating to a possible major power outage.
Representatives from the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Energy, the FBI, Canada, and private industry electricity providers tackled the scenario that included a simultaneous terrorist attacks on critical electricity transmission nodes compounded by a cyber attack against computers that control the flow of electricity in large areas of North America.
The seminar enabled the participants to “come to a consensus on what kinds of support might be requested” from the Department of Defense, how and with whom USNORTHCOM will coordinate the necessary support, “so that we are prepared to work smart and efficiently together in preventing or mitigating” the consequences of a major power outage, said David Wilkins of USNORTHCOM’s directorate of training and exercise.
Gary Jackson, of Colorado Springs Utilities, noted that although Hurricane Katrina is now considered “the major disaster standard,” a wide-spread power outage would likely present a worse situation.
Wilkins agrees citing that prior to Hurricane Katrina making landfall it was known that a powerful hurricane was approaching so preparation could be made, including evacuating most of New Orleans.
“Major power outages are likely to give us little or no warning, will affect millions of innocent people -- many who live in large metropolitan areas,’” he said. “It would have a profound negative impact on our economy and infrastructure and far-reaching secondary consequences including gas pumps, grocery stores and water treatment facilities which are run by electricity.”
Efficiently mitigating the adverse effects of major, long-lasting power outages “will require unprecedented cooperation” between private energy providers and government entities at all levels, Wilkins said.
Larry Kezele, of the North American Electric Reliability Council, said “the possibility of major power outages such as in the outlined scenario is plausible.”
Wilkins added that the energy providers have the primary responsibility to repair the electric transmission infrastructure. But, there are a myriad of supporting roles that other organizations would likely have to fulfill, “especially those pertaining to the health and well-being of our citizens, and that geographical and seasonal differences will have a major bearing on what kind of support may be required,” Wilkins said.
USNORTHCOM plans to participate in more energy-related exercises and seminars to provide additional visibility of the Department of Defense capabilities and limitations in assisting with real-world scenarios of this type.