Attacks on U.S. power grids rose to an all-time high last year, further straining the sprawling and aging network.
The number of direct physical attacks, including acts of vandalism and other suspicious activity, that potentially threatened grid reliability rose 77% to 163 in 2022 from the previous year, according data released by the U.S. Energy Department Tuesday. The incidents put the network at risk in more than three dozen states, affecting about 90,000 customers.
Substations, which are responsible for stepping down high-voltage power to lower levels that can be delivered safely to homes, became high-profile targets late last year.
