NCJ Number
130645
Journal
Terrorism Volume: 13 Issue: 3 Dated: (May-June 1990) Pages: 191-194
Date Published
1990
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The U.S. Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) has determined that a terrorist attack involving only a small group of attackers could cause widespread, long-lasting power outages. This assessment takes into account the extensive efforts utilities undergo to prepare for extreme contingencies as well as the long-term resilience and redundancy of power systems in the U.S.
Abstract
However, the report maintains that utility contingency planning assumes that failures will occur at a single site, while, in fact, a natural disaster or terrorist attack could affect two or more major sites. Similarly, a large-scale attack could affect the electric system's reliability, particularly during daily peak periods. The main requirement for a terrorist attack is some general knowledge of how power systems work and specific information about key facilities in the targeted system. Steps taken to prevent damage in case of attack, limit consequences, and speed the recovery process will all reduce the vulnerability of power systems to terrorism. OTA recommends that utility contingency planning be expanded to include the simultaneous loss of several facilities, that physical hardening measures be implemented at key unmanned facilities, and that the Department of Energy (DOE) assume a larger role in working with the utility industry. Other agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), should also be involved in this effort. 1 table and 1 note