ABC News is reporting that three power substation facilities were vandalized in Pierce County, Washington, on Christmas morning, leaving upwards of 14,000 homes without power.
Two of the incidents were at Tacoma Public Utilities substations and the third was at a Puget Sound Energy station, according to the Pierce County sheriff’s office.
No suspects are in custody, according to police.
“It is unknown if there are any motives or if this was a coordinated attack on the power systems,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
… But, it sure looks like a coordinated terrorist attack.
Did they leave their MAGA hats and Confederate flags at the scene?
“Unfortunately, the impacts to our system from today’s deliberate damage are more severe in some places than initial testing indicated,” the company said. “Some customers will be restored closer to 8 AM tomorrow. We appreciate your patience as we respond to this intentional vandalism to our system.”
“We know this incident has impacted many people’s holiday celebrations, and our crews are working hard to get power safely restored to all customers as quickly as we can,” it added.
A number of reported threats to power infrastructure are under investigation following previous attacks on substations in Washington State as well as Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Oregon.
Is it a mere coincidence that writings by extremists on online forums have been encouraging attacks on critical infrastructure for the better part of two years?
Probably not.
Attacks on the power grid since September:
— Caroline Orr Bueno, Ph.D (@RVAwonk) December 26, 2022
-3 substations “vandalized” in WA
-multiple attacks on substations in NC
-multiple attacks on substations in SC
-5 (additional) attacks on substations in WA & OR
-6 attacks on substations in FL in a single 12-day stretch https://t.co/hrvSK9iVF6
Extremists have posted instructions outlining power station vulnerabilities via the use of high-powered rifles. In fact, a 14-page guide obtained by CNN detailed how a 2013 sniper attack on a power substation in Silicon Valley destroyed 17 transformers, costing the electric company $15 million in repairs.
Last month, the FBI warned of threats to electricity infrastructure by alleged white supremacists were attempts “to create civil disorder and inspire further violence.”
