On February 6, 2023, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that two suspects had been charged with planning a firearms attack on five Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) substations.[1] According to the DOJ, Sarah Beth Clendaniel of Catonsville, Maryland, and Brandon Clint Russell of Orlando, Florida, were arrested on February 3, 2023, and charged with conspiracy to destroy an energy facility. The two individuals planned to attack several substations across Baltimore, Maryland, to cripple the city’s electricity infrastructure. The planned attack was based on race, and at least one of the suspects is a member of a neo-Nazi group. BGE, an Exelon subsidiary, said it is working closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), state and local investigators.

“Attacks on multiple electrical substations in Maryland would have caused suffering to thousands of Americans going about their everyday lives, but the FBI and our partners put a stop to that threat,” said Assistant Director Robert R. Wells of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “According to the criminal complaint, the defendants allegedly were taking specific steps to carry out their plans, including selecting targets and trying to illegally acquire a rifle. The FBI and our partners will hold accountable all those who commit criminal acts that threaten the safety of those in our communities, regardless of their motivations.”

[1] https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/maryland-woman-and-florida-man-charged-federally-conspiring-destroy-energy-facilities

Approximately 45,000 customers in Moore County, North Carolina, were without power after two substations in the county were attacked and vandalized via gunfire on December 3, 2022.[1] According to Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields, the attack on the substations wasn’t random, and federal, state and local authorities are currently investigating the incident. The state of North Carolina, Moore County, and Duke Energy are each offering rewards of up to $25,000, a total of up to $75,000, for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the attacks. Duke said in a statement that several large and vital pieces of equipment were damaged during the attack and needed to be repaired or replaced. The utility restored power to all customers in Moore County and the surrounding counties affected by the attack on December 8, 2022, a day earlier than expected.

The utility has made an initial commitment of $100,000 to support the local community’s needs due to the attack. The Red Cross, Sandhills-Moore Coalition for Human Care, Boys and Girls Club of Sandhills-Moore, United Way of Moore County, and Northern Moore Family Resource Center will each receive $20,000.

[1] https://doi.gov/pressreleases/biden-harris-administration-announces-winners-california-offshore-wind-energy-auction