Speaker warns of EMP vulnerability, cites Utah task force and urges grid hardening

Speaker 1 devoted part of his presentation to electromagnetic‑pulse (EMP) and "super‑EMP" threats, describing them as capable of shutting down electricity, food and water distribution and critical infrastructure. "EMP . . . could shut down our electrical power system or critical infrastructure," he said, and cited the Congressional EMP Commission's assessments about potential catastrophic effects.

He described the Utah EMP Task Force's priorities and noted state legislative action that created a Utah grid resilience committee intended to study grid hardening options. "What the legislature can do is to fund grid hardening," he said, encouraging attendees to support both policy change and the nonprofit that runs his task force.

During question time, an audience member asked whether Hill Air Force Base would be a likely nuclear target in Utah; Speaker 1 identified Hill AFB as the primary local target discussed and recommended rural locations away from main highways as safer refuges in catastrophic scenarios.

Speaker 1 closed this segment by asking for donations to the Utah EMP Task Force (utahemptaskforce.org) and urged attendees to press state lawmakers for practical grid‑resilience recommendations; no formal local policy action was taken during the event.