Electric Grid Physical Security: Recent Legislation (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Jan. 6, 2016 |
| Report Number |
IN10425 |
| Report Type |
Insight |
| Authors |
Parfomak, Paul W. |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
The U.S. electric grid consists of over 200,000 miles of high voltage transmission lines and hundreds of high voltage (HV) transformer substations. Due to their size and location these critical assets--especially the transformers--are vulnerable to physical damage from theft, vandalism, or terrorist attack. The Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (P.L. 114-94), which became law on December 4, 2015, contains provisions to facilitate recovery during electric grid emergencies due to physical damage and other causes. A Senate bill (S. 2012) could also expand efforts to protect the grid from physical threats. The vulnerability of the electric grid to natural events or malicious acts has been a long-standing policy concern. A particular focus has been on HV transformers. Such transformers are very difficult to restore when damaged because they can take over a year to manufacture and are hard to move. Over the years, the utility industry and government agencies have engaged in ever greater efforts to secure HV transformers and other grid assets from physical attack and to improve grid recovery should an attack succeed. These efforts include coordination and information sharing, voluntary spare equipment programs, industry security standards, and large-scale security exercises.
