By Michael W. Kahn | ECT Staff Writer Published: February 21st, 2012
After repeatedly being a victim of copper theft, a Florida electric cooperative successfully fought for tough new ordinances in two counties it serves, and is now taking the battle to a third.
The arrow points to the missing 4/0 ground wires that copper thieves stole from this Georgia Transmission substation. (Photo By: Georgia Transmission)
“We contacted the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and worked with them in conjunction with the county commission and got the law passed,” said David Lambert, manager, member relations, at Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative.
The Dade City-based co-op has seen the number of copper theft cases—and the resulting bills—pile up. In 2007, Withlacoochee suffered $6,861 in theft and vandalism. Two years later the total reached $108,809. By last year the figure jumped to $266,780.
Florida is just one front in the copper theft war, where battles are also being fought in Georgia and Illinois. But in the Sunshine State, time is of the essence in getting county bills approved.
“There is a bill moving through the state legislature. But if the local bill gets in first, and it’s tougher, the local provision stays in,” Lambert explained.
The Pasco County measure was passed Feb. 7, with Hernando County following a week later. Both require scrap dealers to use the same software program as pawn brokers. The recyclers will have to record all metal purchases and email the list to the sheriff’s office by 10 a.m. the following day.
Lambert said “good, legal recyclers don’t have a problem with” the new law.
Withlacoochee supports similar legislation in Citrus County. “We’re going to hit every county that we can,” Lambert told ECT.coop.
In neighboring Georgia, a handful of copper theft bills are pending in the state legislature.
“We support the legislation,” said Tom Parker, vice president, external affairs and member relations, at Georgia Transmission Corp., which serves 39 distribution co-ops.
“We continue to have a problem with metal theft here. We’re terribly concerned about the safety implications for our employees and our contractors when they go into a substation. It’s the same with the EMC employees and contractors.”
Georgia co-ops have long been at the forefront of the state’s fight against copper theft, helping to get a law passed in 2009. But Parker said thieves are branching out—hitting cemeteries and churches, among other places, and attracting media attention.
“It’s got a lot of legislators energized,” Parker said.
The primary bill, which has already passed a state Senate committee, would create an electronic database of metal sellers and purchasers, and require payments be made by check or electronic transfer, not cash.
Parker called 2011 the “roughest year” Tucker-based Georgia Transmission has had with metal theft, recording 143 incidents, with each incident costing between $3,000 and $5,000.
Illinois is also moving closer to getting a new copper theft law. The House Judiciary Committee approved a bill which, among other things, would require recyclers to keep records of all metal purchases, not just those greater than $100. It would also include property damage amounts when tallying the value of the theft for the purpose of determining penalties.
