> From: Rosalind Peterson <[email protected]>
> Date: August 1, 2020 5:50:03 PM PDT
> To: Deborah <[email protected]>
> Subject: U.S. POWER GRID TEST ALERT
>
> COSTLY U.S. POWER GRID TESTS APPROVED WITHOUT PUBLIC CONSENT
> COSTS & CONSEQUENCES
> By Rosalind Peterson
> August 1, 2020
> http://newswithviews.com/Peterson/rosalindA.htm
>
> On June 27, 2020, 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:
>
> 1) CBS News Reports: “…The group that oversees the U.S.
> power grid (NERC), is proposing an experiment that would allow more
> frequency variation than it does now without (time) corrections,
> according to a company presentation obtained by The Associated
> Press... "Is anyone using the grid to keep track of
> time?...McClelland said. "Let's see if anyone complains if we
> eliminate it.” …No one is sure what will be affected…” [1] This
> appears to be an experiment to permanently eliminate time corrections.
>
> 2) CBS News: “…A June 14 company presentation spelled out
> the potential effects of the change: East Coast clocks may run as
> much as 20 minutes fast over a year, but West Coast clocks are only
> likely to be off by 8 minutes. In Texas, it's only an expected
> speedup of 2 minutes. Some parts of the grid, like in the East,
> tend to run faster than others. Errors add up. If the grid averages
> just over 60 cycles a second, clocks that rely on the grid will
> gain 14 seconds per day, according to the company's
> presentation…”[1] This could mean that your clocks and other
> appliances plugged into the electricity grid, will no longer be
> accurate while the tests are being conducted for at least one year.
>
> 3) Time Disruptions - How will people who don't have
> Internet or Cell Phone access be able to get the correct time since
> telephone companies don't offer this service anymore? This company
> presumes to believe that everyone has access to the Internet and
> will have instant correct time…this is not the case.
>
> 4) Appliances, cooking timers, SMART Meters, clocks, and
> other items that are time sensitive could be disrupted or
> completely fail.
>
> 5) The article does not address problems that may occur in
> hospitals, during surgeries, when using time sensitive equipment.
> This type of equipment may be highly sensitive to time variations.
> Other industries and businesses may also have problems and may have
> to make many costly adjustments. Who will pay these costs?
>
> 6) CBS News: “…Spokeswoman Kimberly Mielcarek said the
> company is still discussing the test and gauging reactions to its
> proposal, and may delay the experiment a bit…” [1] This company
> has no idea what problems these tests will have on the public and
> our electric grid. It is just an experiment and they are taking no
> financial responsibility for the consequences if these tests have
> negative, unknown consequences.
>
> 7) These tests are to last one year. This seems like a
> long time to conduct these tests. This company should be able to
> conduct small tests over limited areas in order to perform the same
> type of testing. And this should be heavily reviewed and studied
> in advance of any testing.
>
> 8) If the federal government provides the time, via
> telephone, the location and number were not noted in the CBS
> article.
>
> The public should not have to rely on leaving our computers and
> cell phones, using extra electricity, just to make sure that we
> have the correct time. And we have no idea if our computers and
> other gadgets will work while these tests are being conducted.
>
> If our appliances and other equipment break because of these grid
> experiments who is going to pay our costs? If these tests cost
> local, city, and county governments money to respond to problems
> associated with these tests, who pay the costs of fixing or
> repairing them?
>
> There needs to be congressional hearings and a public debate before
> these tests are approved. To be at the mercy of a private company,
> that has decided on a “whim”, and without any idea of the problems
> and consequences that their power grid tests will cause, is
> unthinkable at this time.
>
> Stop the Tests, Let the Public Debate Begin, and Contact your
> Elected Officials and let them know that you expect that they will
> take action to protect the public interest. We need a
> comprehensive investigation prior to any experiments being
> initiated. End
>
> 1, CBS News June 27, 2020
> http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2020/06/27/scitech/main20074627.shtml
>
> 2, Precise Time-U.S. Naval Observatory http://
> www.usno.navy.mil/USNO
> The United States Naval Observatory (USNO) provides a wide range of
> astronomical data and products, and serves as the official source
> of time for the U.S. Department of Defense and a standard of time
> for the entire United States.
>
> 3, The North American Reliability Electric Corporation will
> be conducting this test.
> Website: http://www.nerc.com/
>
> 4, For more Information on the Smart Meter Rebellion and
> Hazards
> http://www.agriculturedefensecoalition.org/?q=pg-and-e-
> smart-meter
>
> 5, For more Information on the Health Hazards from Energy
> Efficient Light Bulbs
> See EPA Hazmat Warnings for Home Breakage and Disposal
> http://www.agriculturedefensecoalition.org/?q=pg-and-e-
> smart-meters
