Rosalind Peterson -- Costly U.S. Power Grid Tests Approved Without Public Consent
By Rosalind Peterson
August 5, 2011
NewsWithViews.com
On June 27, 2011, CBS News reported: “…A yearlong experiment with America's electric grid could mess up traffic lights, security systems and some computers and make plug-in clocks and appliances like programmable coffeemakers run up to 20 minutes fast...” [1] CBS News also reported that: “…Tom O'Brian, who heads the time and frequency division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, expects widespread (unspecified) effects...” [1].
The CBS report did not specify who approved this test. This test will begin without public consent, substantial public notice or public debate in mid-July 2011 [1]. This test could disrupt so many businesses, state and local governments, and other government agencies, that it could quickly become a National Security nightmare and a massive public headache.
"A lot of people are going to have things break and they're not going to know why," said Demetrios Matsakis, head of the time service department at the U.S. Naval Observatory, one of two official timekeeping agencies in the federal government…This will be an interesting experiment to see how dependent our timekeeping is on the power grid, Matsakis said. [1-2].
According to CBS News, “…The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), runs the nation's interlocking web of transmission lines and power plants and they will be conducting the tests…” [1, 3]. Will this company be liable for appliance replacement and other costs associated with these tests?
The disruptions from these tests may have the following consequences according to various news reports:
http://www.newswithviews.com/Peterson/rosalind132.htm
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