I used to work with a security company that did remote view networked camera setups. 5-6k is completely reasonable for a substation retrofit. Plus when the camera detects movement, an alert can be forwarded to the security team so that they may determine if the threat is credible or not and respond if necessary.

The technology is fairly straightforward and intuitive. The power companies all have qualified technicians that are more than qualified to do the install. If the companies negotiated directly with Honeywell or another manufacturer, the price could reduced significantly as the two companies reach a long term agreement.

Video is inexpensive. They can alert the entire security team within seconds of detecting motion. Response time is critical and this is key. Not some CSI wanna be high powered enhance camera. Save those for the new builds. The retrofits could be quite cheap.

I can't believe we live in this timeline. I can't go to the store to by a gallon of ice cream without passing several cameras trying to cite me for a traffic crime. Once I arrive at my friendly corporate megamart, I am even under more surveillance. They even go so far as to show me my face on a large screen suspended from the ceiling. When I finally get to self checkout the final camera, complete with facial recognition, is designed to ensure that I can be prosecuted if I don't ring up my $5 ice cream. No expense was spared in making me a compliant little citizen.

The nationa and state levell power grid though? We just don't have the money

WTACTUALF!!!