Topic: Ferc

John Dixon details the business case for the smart grid, which allows utilities to remotely dampen electrical demand during peak times to save on infrastructure costs. However, he warns that making every thermostat an IP-addressable device creates a massive attack surface for nation-state actors like Iran or China. He notes the confusion within the private sector regarding which federal agency to follow during a large-scale infrastructure attack.

A year-long experiment by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will allow more frequency variation in the U.S. electric grid, potentially causing clocks to run fast. Officials claim maintaining the standard 60-cycle frequency is expensive and "needless effort," especially as renewable energy sources like solar and wind cause momentary fluctuations. Critics suggest this could be a mechanism to gouge customers or affect public behavior through frequency manipulation.

An investigation into political donation records reveals individuals contributing multiple times to the same candidate. This is explained by varying state laws and the distinction between primary and general election limits, which allow donors to contribute up to $2,300 per specific election cycle.