Meridian Idaho Substation Attack
The Meridian Idaho Substation Attack occurred on August 15, 2016 when an unknown assailant shot at a substation near Meridian Idaho, causing thousands of dollars in damage. The attack was one of the most serious incidents of sabotage against the US electrical grid in decades, and has raised concerns about the security of the nation’s electric infrastructure.
The attack took place at the Bonneville Power Administration’s (BPA) Swan Falls Substation near Meridian, Idaho. At approximately 11:30 pm, an unknown assailant fired multiple rounds from a high-powered rifle at the substation’s transformers, causing an estimated $200,000 in damage. The attacker was able to breach the substation’s security fence and escaped without being detected.
The attack left thousands of customers without power for hours and caused several power outages in the area. The incident also caused significant damage to the substation’s transformers, which required a lengthy and costly repair process.
The motive behind the attack remains unknown, but some experts believe the attack may have been part of a larger coordinated effort to disrupt the US electrical grid. The incident has raised concerns about the security of the nation’s electric infrastructure and prompted calls for increased security measures at substations and other electric infrastructure sites.
The FBI is currently investigating the incident and has offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the attack.
The Meridian Idaho Substation Attack is a stark reminder of the potential threats posed to the US electrical grid and the need for increased security measures to protect our nation’s electric infrastructure. By implementing stronger security measures and increasing public awareness of the threats posed by attacks on the US electric grid, we can help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The US Department of Energy has released a report on the attack.
The Bonneville Power Administration has also released a report on the attack.