ATLANTA, June 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Rising prices for copper have led to
increased thefts from utilities, construction and industrial sites,
creating a serious problem throughout Georgia.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050216/CLW066LOGO )
Georgia Power has been no exception. As the price of copper goes up,
Georgia Power has seen a steady correlated increase in the number of
thefts, attempted thefts and break-ins at substations, from the poles
themselves and other property locations.
In the past two years the average price of a pound of copper has gone
up almost 200 percent. But from 2005 to 2007, the number of wire theft
cases the company has investigated has gone up more than 500 percent, while
losses have increased more than 600 percent.
"We actively investigate all thefts or attacks on our property," says
Philip Peacock, investigations supervisor for Georgia Power. "We work
closely with local law enforcement to identify and prosecute anyone who
does something like this. Arrests of individuals involved in these thefts
from Georgia Power have increased more than 900 percent."
Not only is there a financial impact to the company, there are
significant safety implications as well. When thieves target electric lines
and equipment they put themselves, utility employees and, potentially,
residents in danger.
Many substations receive power in at 500,000 volts and reduce it down
to about 11,000 volts, which is still a lethal dose. Before any utility
staff are allowed to work around this equipment they must have safety
training and are required to wear personal protective equipment such as
insulated shoes, hard hats, and other specific materials.
"We've had several instances where these would-be thieves have been
severely injured," continued Peacock, "including critical, life-threatening
electrical burns or loss of body parts. Anyone who does this is putting
their life at extreme risk."
These thefts also threaten the operation of the electric grid, which
can cause widespread outages and endanger employees working on lines.
The company has initiated a number of programs to tackle the problem.
Security has been increased at all company locations. Peacock says, where
possible, copper wire in the system is being replaced with steel-clad wire,
which has little value in the scrap metal market.
In addition, the Georgia legislature passed a new law in 2007
increasing the penalties for anyone who steals or knowingly recycles stolen
copper.
"The risks just aren't worth the few dollars someone might be able to
get for the amount of copper available in our substations," noted Peacock.
"It's just not worth their life or being permanently disabled from now on."
Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the
nation's largest generators of electricity. The company is an
investor-owned, tax-paying utility with rates well below the national
average. Georgia Power serves 2.3 million customers in all but four of
Georgia's 159 counties.
SOURCE Georgia Power
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Related links:
http://www.georgiapower.com
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CONTACT:
Carol Boatright, +1-404-506-7676,
1-800-282-1696, corpcomm@georgiapower.com
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