A white supremacist plotted to attack a power substation in Nashville, Tennessee, with an explosives-loaded drone, federal authorities alleged on Monday while announcing his arrest.

Skyler Philippi, 24, was arrested on 2 November on charges of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and attempting to destroy an energy facility. Authorities claim that Philippi’s plot was rooted in his “accelerationism”, or the white supremacist belief that “the existing state of society is irreparable and that the only solution is the destruction and collapse of the ‘system’”, according to court documents.

Court documents add that adherents to accelerationism believe that “steps can be taken to speed up the collapse of the system, to wit: the destruction of the US power grid, among other acts of violence”.

In June, Philippi allegedly told a law enforcement informant that he wanted to carry out a mass shooting at a YMCA in Columbia, Tennessee. Philippi subsequently communicated with another informant, explaining how attacking nine or more power stations would “shock the system”, according to investigators.

The second informant introduced Philippi to an undercover agent. Philippi allegedly revealed that he had penned a “manifesto” outlining his desire to attack “high tax cities or industrial areas to let the kikes lose money”, invoking a slur for Jewish people.

Philippi also allegedly revealed a prior association with two hate groups: Atomwaffen Division and the National Alliance. The Atomwaffen Division is a violent extremist group which targets communities of color and Jewish persons, as well as LGBTQ+ persons, journalists and critical infrastructure, authorities said.

Meanwhile, the criminal complaint against Philippi described the National Alliance as a white supremacist group that pushes for the eradication of Jewish people and other races. The group also calls for an “all-white homeland”.

Philippi in September purportedly told two undercover agents about his plan to employ a drone carrying explosives and fly it into a particular power substation. Philippi allegedly asked these agents if they would surveil the power station with him. They agreed, drove him there, and introduced him to yet another undercover agent.

This third undercover agent told Philippi that he could procure explosives. Philippi also told the undercover agents about logistics planning – from renting a car that “would blend into the residential neighborhood” to where they would deploy the drone, court papers allege.

He also allegedly told the undercover agents to “wear boot covers, cut off the tread of any boots worn, or wear shoes one size larger than needed, to hinder any potential law enforcement investigation”. Philippi also told the undercover agents to “dress as if they were religious clergy members and wear fake glasses on the night of the attack” – and leave their phones at home.

On Saturday, Philippi was ready to carry out his operation, court papers allege. Undercover agents picked him up at his home.

He was allegedly wearing a shirt that read “Töten für Wotan”, which is German for “death for Odin”. Court papers state that the phrase is used by white supremacists because the Nazi leader Adolf Hitler “had an interest in Pagan/Nordic tradition”, with Wotan being another name for the Norse god of war, Odin.

They ultimately arrived at the would-be attack site that evening, and Philippi started preparing the drone. Authorities arrested him “while he was preparing the drone and the explosives from the back of the vehicle”, court papers state.

Philippi has been jailed since his arrest. His attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

• The Associated Press contributed reporting