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Small-Scale Attacks Could Bring Down U.S. Power Grid, Report Says

A power outage in August 2003 darkened New York City. A report warns that the national power grid could be knocked out if just a handful of key power stations were sabotaged. George Widman/AP hide caption

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George Widman/AP

The Two-Way

Small-Scale Attacks Could Bring Down U.S. Power Grid, Report Says

Last year, snipers nearly knocked out an electric substation in California. If just nine such facilities were put out of commission, the entire grid could go down for months, federal regulators warn.

Sniper Attack On Power Station Highlights Grid's Vulnerability
Fred Prouser/Reuters/Landov

The Two-Way

Sniper Attack On Power Station Highlights Grid's Vulnerability

The former head of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission continues to warn about the security of the nation's power grid. Last spring, shots fired at transformers in San Jose, Calif., and caused extensive damage.

Sniper Attack On Power Station Highlights Grid's Vulnerability

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Sniper Attack On Calif. Power Station Raises Terrorism Fears
Fred Greaves/Reuters/Landov

The Two-Way

Sniper Attack On Calif. Power Station Raises Terrorism Fears

Last April in San Jose, transformers were knocked out at a power station when one or more snipers fired at least 100 rounds into them. Investigators say they don't believe it was an act of terrorism, but other experts disagree.

Sniper Attack On Calif. Power Station Raises Terrorism Fears

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