The Dupont Summit 2011 at the Carnegie Institution for Science in DC on Dec 2, 2011 provided two panels of 8 speakers and 8 responders of policy leaders who discussed the NDU, MEMA and InfraGard sponsored planning exercises along with the renewable energy ramifications of long-term power outages. Post conference reports and a video should be available soon.
"Secure Grid 11" and Solar Storm Exercises: The National Defense University (NDU) hosted a planning workshop on Oct 3, 2011, a table top exercise Oct 4-5, 2011 and co-host a one day conference Oct 6, 2011 with the US Congressional EMP Caucus and InfraGard that will enable planning for a months-long power outage. This was the first time such long-term and widespread scenarios was be tackled by a representative collection of federal, state, local government and private sector officials. NDU also co-sponsored a space weather planning workshop with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, MD on Oct 4, 2011. Planners Dr. Richard Andres and Chuck Manto were interviewed by Dr. Peter Pry at Empact Radio on April 13, 2011. The interview recording can be heard by clicking on this interview link.
The InfraGard National Members Alliance who co-sponsored these planning events has formed a nationwide EMP special interest group (SIG) focusing on extreme space weather, electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and other high-impact low-frequency threats to critical infrastructure. The EMP SIG will form top panels of experts to assist local chapters to help mitigate these threats. The InfraGard website will post information on the SIG shortly. Meanwhile, see www.sustaining-people.com for post-conference reports.
Mr. Manto presented information on extreme space weather, EMP, the NDU exercises and the formation of the InfraGard EMP Special Interest Group to the board retreat of the National Foreign Trade Council (nftc.org) June 2011. Follow up discussions are encouraged by NFTC.
Congressional EMP Caucus: The newly formed EMP Caucus convened a meeting April 7, 2011 where John Kappenman and Chuck Manto presented.
Invite: EMP Caucus Briefing 4/7/2011 at 1 pm in RHOB B-318
From: The Honorable Trent Franks
Sent By: drew.nishiyama@mail.house.gov
Date: 4/4/2011
Dear Colleague,
Please join EMP Caucus Co-Chairs Trent Franks, Roscoe Bartlett, and Yvette Clarke as we welcome experts Chuck Manto and John Kappenman for a briefing on electric grid vulnerabilities and the US response to an EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) Event. This event will be held in B-318 RHOB from 1 pm - 2 pm on Thursday April 7th.
John Kappenman will present an overview of the Impacts of a Severe Geomagnetic Storm and US Electric Power Grid Vulnerability. Chuck Manto will present an overview of the National Defense University Secure Grid Tabletop Exercise.
EMP has received much media attention, including an OP-ED by President Obama's Science Advisor. This caucus event will provide sufficient background information for those new to EMP and also shed light on what Congress can do in the face of an EMP event.
Please email Drew Nishiyama at drew.nishiyama(at)mail.house.gov with any questions or comments you have about EMP or to join the EMP Caucus.
Sincerely,
Trent Franks Roscoe Bartlett Yvette Clarke
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress
DuPont Technology Summit: Charles Manto of IAN presented two topics at the Dec 3, 2010 technology policy conference in DC. The first was a companion approach to universal service named "Sponsored Services"(TM) at the 9 AM session. The second topic presented at 1130 AM was a discussion of the Grid Act and the role of long-term disaster planning for EMP as a motivator for early adoption of renewable energy. To read and comment on the article "Grid Act Impact", merely go to http://books.google.com/ and fill in “Grid Act” for the search. It will turn up at the top. Or, just click on: http://www.google.com/search?q=grid+act&btnG=Search+Books&tbs=bks%3A1&tbo=1 and click on the book title and click on “write review”.
EMPact Radio presents weekly live podcasts through "Blog Talk Radio" that cover national security isues that relate to electromagnetic pulse threats. This website also has past programs where Dr. Peter Pry interviews special guests and takes questions from callers and email participants.
National Geographic program on EMP, Electronic Armageddon, beginning June 15, 2010. This is the Nat Geo link to their site where the DVD may be purchased.