Grid preparedness for geomagnetic storm damage

[phantom power]

Apparently, our level of preparedness for widespread grid damage is "fuck-all"

* Manufacturing capability in the world for EHV-class transformers continues to be limited relative to present market demand for these devices. Further, manufacturers would be unable to rapidly supply the large number of replacement transformers needed should the U.S. or other power grids suffer a major catastrophic loss of EHV Transformers.

* Manufacturers presently have a backlog of nearly 3 years for all EHV transformers (230 kV and above). The earliest delivery time presently quoted for a new order is early 2011.

* Only one plant exists in the U.S. capable of manufacturing a transformer up to 345 kV. No manufacturing capability exists in the U.S. at present for 500 kV and 765 kV transformers, which represent the largest group of At-Risk transformers in the U.S.

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=1206&tstamp=

[pscot]

1. I'm sorry, but I'm suffering from crowd out

There's just too goddamned much to worry about, so I'm prioritizing. Since this unlikely event is twenty one years in the future and I'm likely to be dead by then, this just doesn't make my list. But I'll bequeath my hurricane lamps to my grandchildren so they can be ready.