High Risk ⚡ Power Plant / Substation  ·  Washington

PNW Substation Cluster Tacoma WA

CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE RISK PROFILE  ·  WASHINGTON

8 / 10
Risk Score
Facility Type
⚡ Power Plant / Substation
Primary Risk Radius
5
mile zone
Secondary Risk Radius
20
mile zone

// Risk Intelligence

Risk Score8 / 10   High
Facility Type⚡ Power Plant / Substation
Operator / BranchPuget Sound Energy / BPA
Host CountyPierce County WA
Nearest CityWashington DC
Primary Risk Radius5 miles
Secondary Risk Radius20 miles

// Strategic Significance

The transmission substation cluster serving Tacoma and the southern Puget Sound region powers Joint Base Lewis-McChord the largest military installation on the West Coast as well as the Port of Tacoma and hundreds of thousands of residents. A coordinated attack on Tacoma area substations would simultaneously black out JBLM disrupting military readiness and the Port of Tacoma disrupting Pacific supply chains. The December 2022 Moore County NC attack has inspired copycat planning across the US according to FBI threat assessments.

// Civilian Impact Assessment

Pierce County with 930,000 residents and JBLM with 40,000 military personnel. Substation attack would simultaneously black out JBLM and the Port of Tacoma. Moore County 2022 attack has inspired copycat planning. Specialized transformer replacement takes 12-18 months.

// Evacuation & Shelter Guidance

I-5, SR-512, Portland Avenue. Pierce County Emergency Management coordinates with JBLM and PSE on substation attack and grid emergency protocols.

// Counties Within Risk Zone

// Cities Within Risk Zone