2. 2
Critical Infrastructure Analysis
contacts:dorineadalyn@gmail.com
Pensacola is found in the state of Florida's panhandle. The number of tourists visiting
Pensacola each year, despite its diminutive size relative to Tallahassee, Tampa, Orlando, as well
as the rest of Florida. Pensacola is noted for its sugary-white sands and emerald-green waterways
(Ghio, 2021). Every year, people visit this hideaway to have fun as well as rest. Workers and
employers are working diligently to ensure the protection required to offer people public utilities
like water, electricity, gas, transport, etc. Such critical infrastructures are essential not only for
visitors but also for residents of Pensacola as well as the neighboring areas. The city of
Pensacola and its critical infrastructures associated with power, mobility, and other vital
facilities, as well as safeguarding these assets, will be analyzed in-depth in this paper.
Critical infrastructure has evolved dramatically over time, with the need for utilities
increasing year after year. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency have identified
16 different infrastructure areas (CISA, 2021). Those areas are critical to the U. S. because their
impairment or annihilation will harm the country, economic security, public health, and safety,
or any combination of these elements. Although the areas that assist Pensacola in providing vital
functions may not have been on a global scale, they would impact the city's operations and
maybe other jurisdictions if a big attack occurred.
Access to clean energy has become a topic that has drawn all together water usage,
sunlight, and wind fields all across the world in recent decades. The 68.7 MWdc Saufley site,
which encompasses around 438 acres of former Navy installations for its functions, is located in
Pensacola (SOLV, 2021). The project produces sufficient electricity to power 7,900 households.
3. 3
Coronal Energy, another firm, is partnering with Gulf Power, the United States Air Force, as
well as the United States Navy to install 120 MWac of solar PV over three locations in
Northwestern Florida, delivering clean and sustainable electricity to 18,000 residences (Coronal
Energy, 2021). Several primary learning institutions and institutions of higher learning were able
to adopt solar due to this decision, possibly saving taxpayers vast amounts of money annually.
Pensacola, like any other city, places a premium on the quality of water. The Emerald
Coast Utilities Authority serves Northwest Florida and the greater Escambia County (Pensacola)
region with sanitation, water, and sewage services (ECUA, 2021). ECUA operates 32 water
systems across its provider network, pumping upwards of 13 billion gallons per year to more
than 90,000 consumers. The water system relies solely on one reservoir for drinkable water,
which is often compromised.
Private or corporate automobiles are used for commuting in Pensacola; however, the city
does offer public transport system. The Escambia County Transit Authority provides residents
with secure, efficient, and inexpensive commuting with approximately 1,076 bus stations
throughout 285 kilometers of routes (Mass Transit/ECAT Authority, 2021). The bus presents a
perfect service for persons who use the public transport system and a trolley for Pensacola Beach
and the University of West Florida campus.
Energy infrastructures (such as gas, water, and coal) provide customers with the power
they need to run machinery, automobiles, houses, as well as companies. Residents depend on
these products to maintain their living standards as well as to get to and from working and
personal activities. The commodities, resources, and activities that must be carried in to improve
4. 4
the region or improve others are the commodities, components, including services to make up a
transport linkage.
Passengers frequently use interstate highways, including bridges, to link with the rest of
Florida or even other regions. There are various forms of dangers, including those posed by
persons, the environment, and organizations. Threats to key infrastructure components must be
mitigated (Martin, 2020). These dangers can be ecological or artificial; however, the
consequences could be disastrous. Natural disasters like hurricanes as well as tornadoes strike the
region frequently. Natural catastrophes can lead to a slowdown, but fortified infrastructure which
can endure high and severe winds can reduce the danger.
Terrorists frequently target facilities in the way to attain a more significant number of
people and instill fear. It would also be helpful to learn how much other nations safeguard their
assets against terrorist activity to reduce the harm inflicted by explosions or contaminants. Key
infrastructure breakdowns will significantly impact human lives, the economic, national security,
and current societal regular operation (Xijun, 2020). Massive improvements in the
infrastructure's vulnerability to terrorists or natural catastrophes may help to reduce expenses.
The consequences of removing a few of these assets will be disastrous for society. Millions of
people would be without drinkable water if the water supply were cut off. As previously stated,
ECUA's water reservoir serves around 90,000 clients. It really would require time for the water
to be harmless once more if it had been polluted by oil, gas, or even other active compounds.
Many people will swarm stores to drink bottled water, causing panic in the neighborhood,
including enterprises. Other concerns might include individuals becoming enraged and engaging
in violent scuffles with others, with some taking their own lives.
5. 5
The Pensacola Bay Bridge, which links the cities of Pensacola and Gulf Breeze, FL, is
the point of failure. The bridge is around 3 miles in length and can save travelers approximately
an hour of driving time. Hurricane Sally struck the bridge in September 2020. The bridge has
been closed ever since the hurricane, yet it was supposed to reopen in March. Following the
discovery of more damage, the timeline was delayed. Whenever an entire hospital is required,
the Pensacola Bay Bridge is the quickest route. Transferring people by aircraft has always been
faster, but it is only recommended for people in life-threatening situations. Pensacola can
currently be reached through Interstate 10 or by following routes that go to it. Gulf Breeze
inhabitants can travel to Pensacola via the Garcon Point Bridge that is a bridge toll. Travelers'
tolls have been halted till the Pensacola Bay Bridge is operating.
Whenever it gets to conserving resources seeing how each one is linked to the others,
safeguarding these infrastructures is critical. The city of Pensacola and its vital infrastructure
include, at a least, power plants, transport, other important structures, and the importance of
safeguarding such value to the community. Every area's facilities are interrelated, and one
breakdown might have a cascading effect on the others. Thousands of individuals rely on such
programs for assistance and a manner of life all the time. Environmental or terrorism disasters
can interrupt daily life and cost the region vast amounts of money in repair.
6. 6
Reference
CISA (2021). Critical Infrastructure Sectors. Retrieved from https://www.cisa.gov/.
Coronal Energy (2021). Public Sector Retrieved from https://coronalenergy.com/
ECUA. (2021). ECUA Services. Retrieved from https://ecua.fl.gov/
Ghio, P. (2021). Welcome to Pensacola Beach. Retrieved from https://visitpensacolabeach.com/
Martin Čerňan, Z. M. (2020). Critical Infrastructure and the Possibility of Increasing its
Resilience in the Context of the Energy Sector. Doi: https://doi-
org.proxylibrary.ashford.edu/10.1109/EPE51172.2020.9269175
Mass Transit/ECAT Authority (2021). Escambia County Area Transit Authority.
https://myescambia.com/
SOLV (2021). Solar Energy Puts America First. Retrieved from
https://www.swinertonrenewable.com/
Xijun Yao, H (2020). Assessment of Terrorism Risk to Critical Infrastructures: The Case of a
Power-Supply Substation. MDPI, 10(20). doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/app10207162
