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US declares national emergency to protect power grid from foreign technology
President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency to protect the United States power grid from foreign threats, including sabotage and cyberattacks. The executive order prohibits US companies from purchasing, importing, transferring, or installing certain foreign-made large-scale electrical equipment, critical software, and digital components that pose risks to national security or grid stability.
The restrictions target the 'main power system,' which encompasses high-voltage transmission lines, substations, and power plants. Prohibited hardware includes high-voltage transformers, solar and battery inverters, generators, and protective relays. The order specifically focuses on countries subject to US arms embargoes, sanctions, or those deemed to be harming US interests.
Administration officials warned that foreign-made equipment could contain digital 'backdoors,' allowing hostile actors to remotely control or shut down critical infrastructure. This move comes amid a surge in electricity demand driven by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and cryptocurrency mining.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright has been tasked with developing regulations for the continued use of existing foreign technology already installed in the grid. Meanwhile, the US military has announced plans to bolster power supply security by installing nuclear microreactors at five strategic locations.
Entities
China · Chris Wright · Donald Trump · US Military · United States · United States Department of Energy · United States government · United States military · White House
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The emergency is a response to an 'unusual and extraordinary foreign threat' regarding large-scale power systems manufactured abroad. www.etemadonline.com · www.n-tv.de
- [● 4 SOURCES] President Donald Trump declared a national emergency to protect the US power grid from foreign threats. www.zeit.de · www.etemadonline.com · www.n-tv.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The US military plans to secure the power supply by installing nuclear microreactors at five locations. www.zeit.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The government cites risks that foreign equipment could contain technical 'backdoors' allowing remote control or shutdown. www.n-tv.de
- [● 7 SOURCES] The order prohibits the purchase, import, transfer, or installation of foreign electrical equipment, critical software, and digital components that pose cybersecurity or stability risks. www.etemadonline.com · www.n-tv.de · technews.tw · www.zeit.de · sputniknews.cn · +1 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Energy Secretary Chris Wright is tasked with developing regulations for the continued use of already installed foreign technology. www.zeit.de · www.etemadonline.com · www.n-tv.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] Prohibited equipment includes high-voltage transformers, solar and battery inverters, generators, and protective relays. sputniknews.cn · www.blocktempo.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] President Donald Trump declared a national emergency regarding the security of the US energy system. technews.tw · sputniknews.cn · www.blocktempo.com · www.zeit.de · www.etemadonline.com · +1 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The order prohibits US companies from purchasing, importing, or installing certain foreign-made large-scale power system equipment within the US. technews.tw · www.blocktempo.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The US Strategic Petroleum Reserve fell to 293.4 million barrels as of August 14. sputniknews.cn
- [● 2 SOURCES] The restrictions apply to the 'main power system', which includes high-voltage transmission lines, substations, and power plants. technews.tw · www.blocktempo.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The order targets countries subject to US arms embargoes, sanctions, or those determined to be harming US interests. technews.tw · www.blocktempo.com · www.n-tv.de