Attacks on grid infrastructure in 4 states raise alarm

[icymist]

Shootings at two electric substations in North Carolina last weekend are among the numerous threats posed to U.S. electric infrastructure since mid-October, raising questions about whether such incidents are on the rise.

Concerns grew further after Duke Energy Corp. reported gunfire near its Wateree Hydro station in Ridgeway, S.C., on Wednesday — several days after gunshots severely damaged two substations the company operates in Moore County, N.C. (Energywire, Dec. 7).

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.

https://www.eenews.net/articles/attacks-on-grid-infrastructure-in-4-states-raise-alarm/

[OAITW r.2.0]

1. Time for a serious federal law that treats crimes against US infrastructure as acts of terrorism.

Like, right now, Before this Congress adjures. Make the sentence substantial. This is an act of terrorism, treat it as such.

[area51]

17. +1 n/t

[Initech]

2. The Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, etc are now officially terrorist groups.

It's time to treat them the way we treat ISIS.

[peppertree]

5. +1

To think Dubya and Cheney spent years trying to scare voters into believing "the electric grid and water supply are bound to be targeted my them Mooslims."

Two decades later, here we are (God help us all).

[modrepub]

3. As Far Fetched As This May Seem

Is there any chance Putin/Russia is encouraging RW nut jobs to do things like this? Both groups seem highly enamored with each other.

Maybe I'm just to smitten with wild ass conspiracy theories.

[Mister Ed]

7. Doesn't seem at all far-fetched to me. n/t

[LudwigPastorius]

9. I thought it was Russian agents after the first one in NC.

To think that they don't have people over here is naive, and this would be a very low risk/low cost operation.

[wnylib]

10. Then here's another possible "conspiracy" to think about.

Did TFG dine with Fuentes in order to discuss/plan disruptive chaos in the country? A threat to DOJ and LE if they indict him?

[Sogo]

21. Bingo.

My thoughts exactly.

There was someone else he met with more recently, also, wasn't there?

He will stop at nothing.

[wnylib]

25. So much fuss has been made over the

fact that Fuentes and Kanye are racists, but I have not heard any media people asking or reporting on what the meeting was about. Surely there was a purpose to that dinner meeting. I doubt that it was just a friendly social event.

[BOSSHOG]

11. No conspiracy Teammate. Russian leaders have said for more then 70 Years

(In one form or another) we will destroy you without firing a shot. Putin, like trump loves stupid people. It’s so easy to manipulate them to do their dirty work. Twitter nonsense is the current weapon of choice. Shortly before JFK was murdered in Dallas, the weapon was flyers tossed out of buildings insisting Kennedy must die. Imagine Texans doing such a thing. Russian leaders hate freedom and democracy. So do many conservatives in America.

[moondust]

22. Not just U.S.

All this year:

Traces of explosives found at Nord Stream pipelines, confirming 'gross sabotage,' Sweden says

Major German energy supplier hit by cyberattack

Satellite cyber attack paralyzes 11GW of German wind turbines

German police raids target group accused of far-right plot to overthrow state

If there is common link in all this and maybe more, Putin would be the most likely suspect.

[doc03]

4. When anything like this gets the media's attention there will be copycats. Just like school

shootings, there will be several within a short period of time then it dies out for a while.

[lambchopp59]

26. God I hope so

I worked ambulance during the PCP craze. Idiots jumping out of 4th floor windows thinking they could fly.
Thankfully forgotten.
1970's was some pranksters flushing gelatin coated K balls down public toilets. Again, a forgotten stunt.
I can't help but wonder if some of these terrorist acts now have resulted in local idiots also inconveniencing, endangering themselves.

[Lonestarblue]

6. Domestic terrorism by the right wing extremists is a problem that needs fixing now.

People can freeze to death without power. Those of us in Texas who lived through the 2021 power outages that caused upwards of 900 deaths know this all too well. What is wrong with these sick idiots? They think it’s fun to let people freeze to death or to prevent people relying on electricity from using the medical devices that keep them alive? I don’t know what can be done now given that every wing-nut has access to as many high-powered weapons as they want, but the whole country is vulnerable to this terrorism. Trump and evil Republicans like DeSantis with his attacks on trans kids and drag shows made it popular to attack people. The media needs to start connecting some dots.

[BOSSHOG]

12. Conservatives killed their own

With their opposition to masks and Covid vaccines, they may soon kill vulnerable conservatives by freezing them to death just to own the libs.

[erronis]

16. I don't think these are your father's "conservatives". These are just plain terrorists who want

to disrupt normal life in this country (and probably worldwide.)

[BOSSHOG]

19. They started out as run of the mill conservatives

Then they were groomed to be worse? Like eight year old future altar boys. Also groomed.

[wnylib]

13. A few things that power companies can do.

It will cost them and they will pass the costs on to their customers.

They can install cameras high enough or enclosed to record what is happening at their sites and have them monitored. They can install alarm systems that trigger an emergency LE response when attacked. They can have armed guards at all their substations, with direct line access to LE in case of attacks. And shoot to kill when these terrorists launch attacks.

[erronis]

18. Unfortunately these defenses won't prevent high-powered munitions fired from longer ranges.

Cameras and even a security border won't work if there are larger-caliber rifles fired from a few thousand feet away.

[wnylib]

24. What about 24/7 monitoring that would detect

terrorists at a distance?

[CitizenZero]

8. Grid Security

I agree very much with the posters who suggest that attacks on US infrastructure should be made a terrorist act and a serious felony. Right wingers will copy cat this stuff if they are not already behind these attacks. Also, the power companies need to put security on all the vulnerable infrastructures- we need armed guards and closed circuit cameras. We need to be able to prosecute these criminals to the fullest extent of the law and send a message that terrorist attacks on energy infrastructure will not be tolerated.

[TeamProg]

14. Ah, so NOW they want to talk about taking away guns !! ( sarcasm, but I wouldn't be surprised) nt

[Warpy]

15. Looks like the FBI should have been infiltrating the Klanners and various fascist groups

instead of the Quakers and the Raging Grannies.

Turns out rich old men who are paranoid about having to pay taxes aren't the best people to decide who's a threat. Maybe the FBI honchos need to spend a little less time on all expenses paid junkets and the DC cocktail circuit.

Yes, I'm bitter, they've spent time and billions chasing the mostly harmless left around while ignoring the very real theeat to this country from the extremist right. Local cops aren't any better, calling these fascist groups "friendlies," tipping their hands that they think of themselves as an occupying force in a land of insurrectionists, meaning me and thee.

[erronis]

20. +++ Seems that the foxes have been in charge of the farmyard. J. Edgar Hoover and others.

Same old play - accuse the "others" of what you are going to do.

[calimary]

29. ... going to do, or more likely, already doing.

[Hotler]

23. They listened to Rachel's podcast Ultra and followed an old nazi play book. nt

[JohnnyRingo]

27. Could be copy cats.

I'm not ready to call conspiracy yet.
Wait until they catch a couple, and they will.

[Hassler]

28. Putin's Puppets: American Edition

[icymist]

30. (Related) Attacks on Pacific north-west power stations raise fears for US electric grid

A string of attacks on power facilities in Oregon and Washington has caused alarm and highlighted the vulnerabilities of the US electric grid.

The attacks in the Pacific north-west come just days after a similar assault on North Carolina power stations that cut electricity to 40,000 people.

As first reported by Oregon Public Broadcasting and KUOW Public Radio, there have been at least six attacks, some of which involved firearms and caused residents to lose power. Two of the attacks shared similarities with the incident in Moore county, North Carolina, where two stations were hit by gunfire. Authorities have not yet revealed a motive for the North Carolina attack.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/dec/09/us-power-grid-pacific-northwest-attacks