Guest Column: Copper thefts threaten safety, service

Recently, grounding equipment was stolen from an Empire substation – again. This time the theft was from a substation in the Buffalo area.

Besides creating a potentially harmful situation for customers’ equipment, the theft of the grounding equipment created a dangerous situation for the employees who had to enter the substation to correct the problem and a life-threatening situation for those who committed the theft.

This theft was not an isolated case.

Numerous substations have been pilfered, transmission and distribution poles have been damaged, and last winter, while crews worked long hours restoring service after the ice storm, downed wire was stolen, only adding to the time customers were without service.

Because this problem continues to grow, we are offering a reward of $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of individuals who have stolen wire or materials from Empire.

It is our goal, by initiating this reward, to make both our customers and the perpetrators aware that Empire District takes the theft of equipment and the safety issues it creates very seriously.

Oftentimes, the equipment stolen is worth only a small sum on the scrap market, yet the cost of replacement material is much higher.

When added to the time required to make repairs, damages can reach thousands of dollars. Monetary damages are a concern; however, the potential for serious injury or the loss of life are our greatest concerns.

We urge the public to be alert and to notify local law enforcement if they see suspicious activity, in or around electrical facilities.

Brad Beecher, PE, is a vice president and chief operating officer of Joplin-based Empire District Electric Co. He can be reached at bbeecher@empiredistrict.com.