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