More Electricity Substations Hit In The U.S. - Oregon And Washington Also Attacked

Five electricity substations in Oregon and Washington are attacked just days after two in North Carolina were shot up causing widespread power outages

Sophie Mann For Dailymail.Com

At least five attacks at electricity substations in the Pacific Northwest have been reported to the FBI in recent weeks.

The incidents came to light via a federal memo following a deliberate attack last week in Moore County, North Carolina, that left tens of thousands of people without power for days as seasonal temperatures fall.

In Washington state and Oregon, spokespeople for several energy companies - Puget Sound Energy, the Cowlitz County Public Utilities District and Bonneville Power Administration - confirmed the attacks occurred in November.

A federal law enforcement memo revealed that the Pacific Northwest substations have described attacks using 'handtools, arson, firearms, and metal chains possibly in response to an online call for attacks on critical infrastructure.'

'In recent attacks, criminal actors bypassed security fences by cutting the fence links, lighting nearby fires, shooting equipment from a distance or throwing objects over the fence and on to equipment,' read the memo. 

Washington state Governor Jay Inslee's office said they are 'aware of increased threats to our utilities and are monitoring threat activity'

A spokesperson for BPA, Douglas Johnson, said the company suffered a 'deliberate physical attack' at a Clackamas, Oregon substation over Thanksgiving and that fencing and equipment were damaged.

He added that the company 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 FBI would not confirm or deny that it is investigating the attacks, though the companies said they are cooperating with a federal investigation. 

Gerald Tracy, the media engagement program manager at Puget Sound Energy said that he was unable to 'comment on the incidents because they are both an ongoing investigation involving the FBI.'

Two PSE substations were attacked in late November, though it is unknown which ones or to what extent they were damaged.

A spokesperson for Governor Jay Inslee said the office is 'aware of increased threats to our utilities and are monitoring threat activity in our support and coordination role with federal and local governments and individual utilities.'

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