Attacks on energy infrastructure have increased significantly over the last few years, amid plots hatched by right-wing extremists, known as accelerationists, who seek to sow chaos as a way to hasten societal collapse. Even when attacks on energy substations are robberies, rather than politically motivated, extremists seize on them to advance their agenda, Jane C. Hu found in an investigation for High Country News, supported by the Fund. Hu reported that accelerationist propaganda – including claiming attacks that aren’t related to their agenda – travels online and is complicated for authorities to address. Over the course of 16 months, Hu interviewed experts, tracked attacks on energy infrastructure across the U.S. and monitored right-wing social media to understand how users were discussing and reacting to infrastructure attacks.
Grantee digs into extremist attacks on energy infrastructure and tracks propaganda that sows discord and chaos
