Attacks on substations in four states raise alarm
Several US electricity providers reported attacks similar to gunfire damaging two substations in North Carolina last week.
Image source: E&E News
USA: Several US electricity providers reported attacks similar to gunfire damaging two substations in North Carolina last week.
Concerns grew further after Duke Energy Corp. reported gunfire near its Wateree Hydro station in Ridgeway, S.C. several days after gunshots severely damaged two substations the company operates in Moore County, N.C.
The incidents in the Carolinas followed attacks at six substations in Oregon and Washington in October and November. Local news outlets reported on those events this week. Grid security experts said it’s too early to tell whether the incidents were related or unusual in number, but said they showcase a need for the energy industry to be vigilant and prepared.
Also last month, two substations operated by Puget Sound Energy, an electric and natural gas utility based in Bellevue, Washington, experienced “vandalism,” according to spokesperson Gerald Tracy.
“There is no indication that these vandalism attempts indicate a greater risk to our operations and we have extensive measures to monitor, protect and minimize the risk to our equipment and infrastructure,” Tracy said in a statement, adding that the events appeared to be unrelated to other attacks on substations.
Another substation near Maysville, N.C., meanwhile, fell offline after it was damaged in an incident of vandalism, according to the Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative, which operates the substation. It was unclear as of Thursday whether the substation had come back online.
Vandals managed to damage the substation’s transformers — which help in the process of moving electric current from generators to homes and businesses — and cause coolant oil to leak, says in the statement of the cooperative.
Source: E&E News
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