There are several proposals on the table concerning telecommunications, energy, the Internet and EMP (Electro-magnetic pulse).
First is proposed legislation from Rockefeller and Snowe that "places control in the executive office of the President including the authority to disconnect a Federal or critical infrastructure network from the Internet if they are found to be at risk of cyber attack."
Second is an FCC Docket DA-09-2018 seeking comments on Telework. In the comments from the FCC: Government Accountability Office (GAO) was able to implement a significant telework program without diminishing its output after many of its employees were displaced as a result of an anthrax scare in Congress. More than half of the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) employees telework and the PTO claims a savings of $2 million in fuel cost and 14,000 tons of carbon emission savings from its program. As we continue to work toward the development of a National Broadband Plan, we seek tailored comments regarding telework.
Third is a report from FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski entitled FCC's Preparedness for a Major Public Emergency and prepared by the Commission’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, is in response to the 30-day, top-to- bottom state-of-readiness review launched by Chairman Genachttp://app014.cmpnet.com/cgi-bin/mt.cgi?__mode=view&_type=entry&blog_id=90#howski as one of his first actions at the agency.
Fourth is another FCC Docket DA-09-2017 seeking comments on Smart Grid Technology. In the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), Congress directed the Commission, in its development of a National Broadband Plan, to include "a plan for the use of broadband infrastructure and services in advancing...energy independence and efficiency."
Fifth is the 2008 report from the EMP Commission presenting the results of the Commission's assessment of the effects of a high altitude electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack on our critical national infrastructures and provides recommendations for their mitigation.
The "Smart Grid" is dependent upon the Internet to waste less electricity and improve delivery of power while "Telework" is dependent upon the Internet and having reliable power at teleworkers' homes. To keep government and other workers off the road to reduce carbon emissions that do have detrimental effects upon humans, plants and animals all over the planet, both power and Internet are needed. The pending legislation places control in the office of the President to disconnect Federal or critical infrastructure network from the Internet if "they are found to be at risk of cyber attack." The Obama administration details their priorities under the report FCC Priorities Under the Obama Administration. But the real kick is the threat of an EMP attack. How can you command what you can’t control?
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