Historically Leaburg Dam hydroelectric plant and Camp Creek hydroelectric plant have reliably produced clean, green power. The Leaburg plant has been in existence for approximately 90 years. EWEB now plans to close the dam and stop generating local green power and instead the rate payers will be purchasing power from Bonneville Dam in Portland Oregon.

There is a compelling case for retaining the Leaburg generating facility for energy security reasons. Retaining the dam makes economic and practical sense. Retaining the facility in an operational state would bolster regional resistance to systemic attacks or failure.

Hacking electrical companies is one form of hostility, but there are many other possibilities. In Ukraine one can see how energy supply is a key issue. Power stations are a key objective and threat. Modern thinking on large power stations providing power over large areas extends the radius of damage that can be caused by targeting one facility. However, it is not just threats from bad actors which are present. Climate change is producing more extreme weather.

The world political landscape has changed greatly over the past years. Global tensions have escalated, but at the same time new types of warfare and hostility have arisen as part of asymmetric warfare. This puts almost anything in scope for deliberate disruption. To some extent, computers and the internet have facilitated that, allowing actions to be conducted from thousands of miles away. Long standing bad actors have escalated their actions - often in consequence to sanctions or other actions. Newer threats have also emerged at the same time from formerly regional conflicts. The combination of both of these elements pose an increased threat to energy supply. Active and passive defense mechanisms are now very necessary.