가정 폭력 극단주의자들은 “아마도 계속” 미국의 전기 기반 시설에 대한 물리적 공격을 계획하고 장려하기 위해, according to a recent Department of Homeland Security intelligence briefing obtained by CNN.
Since at least 2020, domestic extremists have developed credible, specific plans to attack electricity infrastructure, the memo dated January 24 말한다, noting that these extremist groups have identified the “electric grid as a particularly attractive target given its interdependency with other infrastructure sectors.”
Absent significant technical knowledge or insider assistance, small-scale attacks are unlikely to cause widespread, multi-state power loss, the intelligence brief notes, but this type of attack may cause physical damage, putting people and operations at risk.
The memo, which was first reported by 데일리 비스트, lists several past incidents of concern that informed the intelligence assessment, including an investigation into potential election-related threats.
12 월 현재 2020, law enforcement was investigating the suspected plans of White supremacists to attack power stations in the southeast as part of an effort to “wreak havoc” in the event that they disagreed with the outcome of the November 2020 선거, according to the memo, which cites media reporting quoting federal prosecutors.
No charges have been filed in the investigation to date.
추가로, 10 월 2020, four suspected White supremacists were charged with conspiracy to damage transformers in Idaho.
A federal indictment in the case alleges that a handwritten list of transformers, substations, and other components of the power grid in the northwest was discovered among one of the defendant’s possessions.
5 월 2020, three people claiming to be Boogaloo adherents allegedly conspired to attack an electrical substation in Las Vegas as part of an attempt to incite riots and violence amid demonstrations in the city. The suspects were charged with conspiracy to damage and destroy by fire and explosive and with possession of unregistered firearms.
The memo is in response to requests from the electric sector to assess physical threats to the industry following increased domestic violent extremist activity in 2020 과 2021. CNN has reached out to DHS for comment.
The DHS intelligence brief found that use of encrypted messaging platforms and simple tactics will likely make these attacks difficult to detect.
Over the last year, there have been various online attempts to inspire individuals “with little or no training to target electricity infrastructure using simple tactics such as firearms, improvised incendiary devices (IIDs), and even common tools like hammers and power saws, according to DHS reporting,” 메모는 말한다.
6 월, a racially-motivated extremist group released a video and manifesto on an encrypted messaging channel that called for “고독한 늑대” attacks against targets, including the electric grid, power plants, and other infrastructure, according to DHS information.
Some domestic extremists believe that largely remote and dispersed nature of the electric grid “will allow sufficient time to conduct an attack while evading detection by law enforcement,” according to a body of DHS, 상태, and media reporting.
“These perceptions are likely reinforced by the attack against a Metcalf, California electric substation in April 2013, when unidentified individuals targeted the site with rifle rounds and escaped before law enforcement could respond, nearly disabling power to the surrounding area,” 메모는 말한다.
