Washington Power Substations Hit In Recent Attacks

WASHINGTON — Energy substations in the Pacific Northwest were targeted in recent attacks, adding to similar incidents being investigated across the nation.

According to The Seattle Times, five substations in Washington and Oregon were hit last month, including facilities operated by Puget Sound Energy, the Bonneville Power Administration, and the Cowlitz County Public Utility District.

In a social media post Wednesday, BPA officials confirmed a "deliberate physical attack" in Clackamas, Oregon, reported over Thanksgiving after workers discovered a cut in the fence and damaged equipment inside the perimeter.

"BPA is actively cooperating with the FBI on this incident and has encouraged other utilities throughout the region to increase their vigilance and report any suspicious or similar activity to law enforcement," the administration said.

Puget Sound Energy told the Times that two substations were attacked in late November, but did not detail which facilities, referring to an active FBI investigation.

In a statement provided to Patch, Gerald Tracy, a PSE spokesperson, said the incidents appeared to be isolated events but would be fully investigated:

"We are aware of recent threats on power systems across the country and take these very seriously. We are monitoring our infrastructure and can confirm we have had two cases of vandalism occur in late November at two different substations. Both cases appear to be isolated and not related to incidents recently reported by other utilities. As per our standard process, both cases were reported to local law enforcement immediately and also shared with peer utilities and the FBI. 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."

In Cowlitz County, utility officials said two substations in the Woodland area were vandalized in mid-November. KING 5 reports the FBI recently distributed a memo to Washington law enforcement agencies, warning of the recent attacks.

According to reporting from OPB and KUOW, the Pacific Northwest incidents share similarities to recent attacks on power infrastructure in North Carolina, where assailants used firearms and knocked out power for thousands. A report that surfaced Thursday indicated another half dozen substation incidents were investigated in Florida in September.