By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of American Energy Works.

Imagine a world where the lights don’t turn on, the air conditioning doesn’t cool, and the internet doesn’t connect. This isn’t a dystopian fantasy, but a real possibility if the Texas electric grid is compromised. The grid is facing numerous threats, from cyber attacks to EMPs, and the state’s residents are paying the price. With the grid’s reliability and resilience at risk, it’s time to take a closer look at the measures being taken to protect it.

The Threats to the Grid

Molly Vogt, host of American Energy Works, recently discussed the issue with Nancy White, co-founder of Secure the Grid Texas. According to White, the grid is vulnerable to a range of threats, including EMPs, cyber attacks, and physical sabotage. ‘We’re in a time of conflict, and we need to be looking at it as a time of conflict,’ White said. ‘We need to be sure that our grid is resilient and reliable, and that it’s not vulnerable to outside input that could harm its functionality.’

Legislative Priorities

Secure the Grid Texas has been working to raise awareness about the importance of grid security and to push for legislative action to protect the grid. The organization has been focusing on the Texas state legislature, where they are working to pass bills that would help to secure the grid and make it more resilient. ‘We want to make sure that our grid is protected from large-scale EMP, foreign adversary cyber threats, and physical sabotage,’ White said. ‘We need to remove vulnerable control equipment, pause uneconomical 765KV transmission projects, and ensure fair electricity rates for families and small businesses.’

A Call to Action

The issue of grid security is not just a matter of national importance, but also a local one. Residents of Texas can take action to help protect the grid by contacting their elected officials and expressing their concerns. ‘We need to make sure that our voices are heard,’ Vogt said. ‘We need to make sure that our elected officials know that we care about this issue and that we want to see action taken to protect our grid.’

‘You cannot have resiliency without reliability and you cannot have reliability without resiliency,’ White noted. This highlights the importance of a multifaceted approach to grid security, one that addresses both the immediate threats and the long-term vulnerabilities.

The full episode of American Energy Works is available on OBBM Network TV.

Watch American Energy Works on OBBM Network TV: https://media.obbmnetwork.tv/embed/tv.html#series/american-energy-works