HEC increasing security measures in wake of North Carolina power grid attack

HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – After an assault on two electrical substations in Moore County, North Carolina earlier this week left hundreds with out energy, the vulnerability of energy grids has develop into a serious concern throughout the U.S.

Regionally, the Harrisonburg Electrical Fee (HEC) mentioned it already has some safety measures in place to guard its energy grid, but it surely’s wanting so as to add extra.

“Along with the prevailing measures we’ve in place we’re working with native legislation enforcement to extend safety and police presence at our services that could be thought of targets for any such vandalism,” mentioned Brian O’Dell, Normal Supervisor of HEC.

HEC mentioned that whereas its energy grid may very well be weak to the kind of assault, the state of affairs probably wouldn’t be as dire in Harrisonburg.

“Definitely, the native grid has an inherent quantity of publicity to those sorts of assaults. Nonetheless, as a result of resilience of the grid in and round Harrisonburg, we wouldn’t count on the outcomes of those assaults to be fairly as catastrophic as we noticed down on the Duke Energy System,” mentioned O’Dell.

O’Dell added that there are plans in place ought to one thing related ever occur in Harrisonburg.

“We do have sure contingencies in place for switching of energy in and round Harrisonburg. We do take a look at sure conditions and put procedures in place to revive energy as rapidly as potential,” he mentioned.

HEC asks Harrisonburg residents to be vigilant when transferring in regards to the neighborhood and to report any suspicious exercise close to electrical substations to native legislation enforcement.

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