Power grid security

President calls for action to preserve US nuclear plants

"The United States of America has the most technologically advanced and developed infrastructure in the world, with access to a reliable, dependable, and diversified electric grid," a statement issued on 1 June by the White House said, adding that the president "believes in total energy independence and dominance" and the importance of a "strong and secure" energy grid and infrastructure to protect US national security, public safety, and economy.

"Unfortunately, impending retirements of fuel-secure power facilities are leading to a rapid depletion of a critical part of our Nation's energy mix, and impacting the resilience of our power grid," the statement said. "President Trump has directed Secretary of Energy Rick Perry to prepare immediate steps to stop the loss of these resources, and looks forward to receiving his recommendations." Fuel-secure facilities include nuclear and coal-fired plants, which are able to store fuel securely on site, enabling them to continue operating in times of major disruption whether from "adversarial attack" or natural disaster.

Bloomberg reported that the Department of Energy (DOE) had outlined in a memo a strategy to establish a strategic generation reserve and to compel grid operators to buy electricity from at-risk plants. The 40-page draft memo, which is marked as privileged and confidential, is dated 29 May and was circulated ahead of a US National Security Council meeting scheduled for 1 June.