NRC Says Will Not Protect Nuclear Plants Against EMP – Not My Job

[livingston]

Updated Aug 27, 2019

“The NRC will not address threats to their (nuclear) power stations that they feel other agencies should take care,” said a task force member of the Electromagnetic Defense Task Force.

The EDTF recently released version 2.0. It’s a new 2019 report to highlight the EMP threat to U.S. infrastructure and military installations. The report admits that the (nuclear) electric generating plants are not prepared for an (EMP) attack.

What’s worse, the NRC apparently won’t protect the energy plants, referred to in the report as the nation’s “crown jewels,” from an attack. The reason: That’s the Pentagon’s job.

There are growing concerns about an EMP attack from Iran, China, Russia, or North Korea. Or a natural one created by the sun (coronal mass ejection, or CME).

The NRC said that plants are not required to protect against an EMP. “The NRC will not address threats to their power stations that they feel other agencies should take care,”
NRC Says Will Not Protect Nuclear Plants Against EMP - Not My Job

 

[FrankenCub]

Well, an EMP can come from the Sun, so what's the Pentagon supposed to do about that? Get tough with the Sun?

 

[fresch]

Faraday cage

 

[BDinPutnam]

They're correct that this isnt an NRC job.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

Definitely not encouraging.

This is the first official notice I've seen at least that admits nuke plants are vulnerable and there is no real plan. It's been speculated on by many but this is confirmation.

Greaat....

 

[FrankenCub]

They're correct that this isnt an NRC job.

True, but pointing the finger at the Pentagon isn't going to solve it. It isn't their job either. The responsibility belongs to the companies that own the utilities.

 

[BDinPutnam]

True, but pointing the finger at the Pentagon isn't going to solve it. It isn't their job either. The responsibility belongs to the companies that own the utilities.

The task force that generated this paper is not the NRC. And I agree with you to an extent w/r/t the misleading language of the plants being "their" (i.e. NRC's) plants.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

The task force that generated this paper is not the NRC. And I agree with you to an extent w/r/t the misleading language of the plants being "their" (i.e. NRC's) plants.

Fair assessment. I still think we're screwed.

I read Ted Koppels book "lights out". It's worth a read. He interviewed various high ranking NRC, utility and government Representatives and they all say it's "the other guys responsibility". So essentially it's no one's responsibility and most likely nothing is being done.

 

[HIghlander]

They can have the CDC sent troops there, they have millions of rounds of ammo just sitting around doing nothing right?

 

[FrankenCub]

The task force that generated this paper is not the NRC. And I agree with you to an extent w/r/t the misleading language of the plants being "their" (i.e. NRC's) plants.

I understood what they were saying, but I think instead of the NRC just saying it's the Pentagon's responsibility, when clearly it's not, the NRC could adopt regulations pertaining to EMP hardening (being natural or other state sponsored) to protect the plants. That work will fall on the plants themselves. They are privately owned. In the greater picture, the whole grid needs to be hardened. I guess I can see a focus on the plants though, don't need a cascading meltdown here.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

This book does a decent job explaining the problem how every organization thinks it's the other person's responsibility to do something.

https://www.amazon.com/Lights-Out-C...ghts+out+book&qid=1567079549&s=gateway&sr=8-1

 

[Robin]

The fed's won't protect my right's, screw a bunch of atomic power plants!
Robin

 

[Jezman]

Just remember if a country did that hopefully they are not as vulnerable with there sensitive electric choices. Because I am sure we would return the favor with much more flare!

 

[livingston]

I had on Coast to Coast radio program last week A fellow was talking about Solar storms and EMP attacks.. The problem Japan has with their N power plant mainly is it leaking into the ocean. They still cannot contain it... We have well over 38 plants in this country pulling cooling water from the great lakes ... ... Think about many having a breach and the great lakes becoming contaminated ... His solution would be to harden the power plants....and keep a years supply on hand of diesel fuel on hand ... . He stated we are due for a solar storm ....It is not if it hits it is when ... Much of the earth could be hit... That could be more delay back to a normal life ... As we know it. .... Everyone would be looking for transformers ... We don't produce any in this country...
Now here is a study that just came out
EMP Study: Threat To U.S. Grid Is Manageable, Electric Sector Says It Would Be Ready
EMP Study: Threat To U.S. Grid Is Manageable, Electric Sector Says It Would Be Ready

 

[spat]

What's the point of hardening the nuke plants if the grid isn't hardened ?

As for cooling, all US plants are required to have backup diesel powered cooling capabilities now.

Certainly wouldn't be too hard to EMP harden that. I doubt any natural EMP could touch that system as it sits now.

If a nuclear EMP is used against the US, the nuke plants are probably going to be pretty far down the list of things we need to worry about.

Our economy is by far the most fragile critical infrastructure we have, that's what we should be most concerned about.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

What's the point of hardening the nuke plants if the grid isn't hardened ?

As for cooling, all US plants are required to have backup diesel powered cooling capabilities now.

Certainly wouldn't be too hard to EMP harden that. I doubt any natural EMP could touch that system as it sits now.

If a nuclear EMP is used against the US, the nuke plants are probably going to be pretty far down the list of things we need to worry about.

Our economy is by far the most fragile critical infrastructure we have, that's what we should be most concerned about.

If they rely on active cooling they will have an uncontrollable meltdown releasing a massive amount of deadly radiation. Imagine that on a scale of about 70 Nationwide meltdowns.

Even if a power plant has a backup diesel generator, no guarantee it will work after an EMP, and if it does the fuel supply most likely won't last long enough to shut the reactor down safely. Their plan is dependent upon continual diesel delivery which will stop in the event of an EMP.

 

[spat]

If they rely on active cooling they will have an uncontrollable meltdown releasing a massive amount of deadly radiation. Imagine that on a scale of about 70 Nationwide meltdowns.

Even if a power plant has a backup diesel generator, no guarantee it will work after an EMP, and if it does the fuel supply most likely won't last long enough to shut the reactor down safely. Their plan is dependent upon continual diesel delivery which will stop in the event of an EMP.

After Fukashuma all US plants were required to install backup diesel cooling pumps. The ones I am familiar with are trailer mounted portable pumps that are stored in a secure location on site and can be connected when needed.

A solar EMP can destroy grid connected devices like transformers and switch gear, but it wouldn't be anywhere near powerful enough to damage portable diesel engines.

Active cooling needs to continue until enough residual decay heat has been released that passive cooling is sufficient. I believe this takes several weeks, could be longer.

In a nationwide SHTF situation so severe that critical nuclear plants can no longer get diesel deliveries for weeks at a time, I doubt there will be anyone around to operate the equipment anyway.

In any case, EMP hardening a trailer mounted diesel powered pump that's in storage isn't a difficult or expensive proposition.

 

[spat]

If they rely on active cooling they will have an uncontrollable meltdown releasing a massive amount of deadly radiation. Imagine that on a scale of about 70 Nationwide meltdowns.

Even if a power plant has a backup diesel generator, no guarantee it will work after an EMP, and if it does the fuel supply most likely won't last long enough to shut the reactor down safely. Their plan is dependent upon continual diesel delivery which will stop in the event of an EMP.

If nuclear plants can't get diesel deliveries, then stores can't get food.

Even if you're right, and all 100+ nuke plants in the US go full Fukushima, you won't even notice the related deaths compared to the starvation.

By the time the first 10k people die from the radiation, there will probably be 200M dead from starvation.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

If nuclear plants can't get diesel deliveries, then stores can't get food.

Even if you're right, and all 100+ nuke plants in the US go full Fukushima, you won't even notice the related deaths compared to the starvation.

By the time the first 10k people die from the radiation, there will probably be 200M dead from starvation.

In an EMP the supply chain will break down.

 

[Jsmegs77]

This only bolsters my already strong inclination to snag a mechanical-injection diesel truck. EMP doesn't faze non-electrical devices much.

 

[BDinPutnam]

In an EMP the supply chain will break down.

As will chain of command. An intentional EMP would likely be accompanied by an overwhelmingly massive cyberattack.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

As will chain of command. An intentional EMP would likely be accompanied by an overwhelmingly massive cyberattack.

I basically envision an "electronic pearl harbor" and I think china is the most likely threat in the next 10 years.

 

[BDinPutnam]

I basically envision an "electronic pearl harbor" and I think china is the most likely threat in the next 10 years.

Agree with the assessment.

Though the Norks are likely working on a smaller scale that they could (and probably more likely to) deploy in-theater i.e. S. Korea/Japan/Guam. They would likely make us aware of the capability rather than use it (deterrent, not an offense). I suppose the trick on a smaller scale is how to do you deploy it without fucking up your own command and control?

 

[Criticalt]

Winter is coming.

 

[livingston]

I basically envision an "electronic pearl harbor" and I think china is the most likely threat in the next 10 years.

Perhaps Iran ....Small freighter and launch off the us coast

 

[FrankenCub]

NK owned containers have been found with ballistic missile launchers in them already. I don't doubt that they are testing the waters to see just how close to the US mainland they can get. Their own mistake was putting them on ships that have been caught before smuggling goods they weren't supposed to.

This only bolsters my already strong inclination to snag a mechanical-injection diesel truck. EMP doesn't faze non-electrical devices much.

That's why I drive an M1008 straight from the Marines
The prices of M1008's and M1009's has been going through the roof lately. Getting slim pickins.