Leah Emanuel and Will Rogers explain in The National Interest how lessons from the past can act as a catalyst for coordination today across the federal government, the electric industry, and the military to ensure the strength of our electric grid deters conflict and maintains our military superiority.
Cascading Risks: Inclement Weather, Increased Demand, Aging Wires
Our current electric grid is dramatically underinvested in and dangerously ill-equipped to support our globally-networked forces. If a major war were to break out tomorrow, the power grid that supports nearly every military installation, weapons factory, and AI data center will be the first — and potentially weakest — line of defense.
Lessons From the Past: The Electrical Grid and the Two World Wars
Lessons from the past can act as a catalyst for coordination today across the federal government, the electric industry, and the military to ensure the strength of our electric grid deters conflict and maintains our military superiority. The urgency of wartime demonstrated that a large-scale transformation of the power grid to serve national defense is possible through proactive coordination.
The Path Forward: A New Grid for a New Century
Strengthening transmission, modernizing our infrastructure, and aligning energy planning with national defense are pivotal to maintaining peace. Should that fail, a modern grid will ensure the U.S. military can fight and win.