NEWS FROM WESTERN AREA POWER ADMINISTRATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December
13, 2006
CONTACT: Randy Wilkerson, 720-962-7056, wilkerson@wapa.gov
HELP WESTERN COMBAT VANDALISM AT BOULDERCITY ELECTRIC
FACILITY
LAKEWOOD , Colo. —A high-voltage electrical
facility near Boulder City, Nev., owned by Western
Area Power Administration, appears to be a target
for vandalism. Western is offering up to $1,000 for
information leading to the arrest and prosecution
of the vandals responsible for breaking into this
facility earlier this month.
Mead Substation, located near Boulder City, is used
by Western’s Desert Southwest Regional Office
to control Western’s power grid in the area.
Vandals cut the fence surrounding the facility and
took copper and aluminum cable from the site.
“We’re looking for information from anyone
who either saw something or has information about this
incident,” said Western’s Security Officer
Pam Moody. Individuals can report information about
this incident or other vandalism to Western’s
Crime Watch program toll-free at 1-800-209-8962, online
at www.wapa.gov/crime/ or
by contacting the Boulder City Police Department at
702-293-9224. Witness identities remain confidential.
While the cost of the vandalism is not yet known, incidents
like this one can contribute to higher operation and
maintenance costs. “Historically, crimes against
Western's facilities, equipment, real estate, employees,
property and assets have cost the agency up to half
a million dollars a year. This includes such crimes
as theft of equipment and supplies, burglary, illegal
dumping and vandalism,” said Moody. “We
need the public’s help in reporting these crimes.
“Additionally, electrical facilities contain
high-voltage power equipment that can cause serious
injury or even death from someone unknowingly contacting
or coming too close to energized equipment,” she
added. “It’s dangerous to be inside a substation
without the proper training. So, not only are these
vandals committing a crime, they’re putting their
lives in danger.”
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Western Area Power Administration annually markets and transmits more than 10,000 megawatts of power from hydroelectric powerplants owned and operated by the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 15 western and central states. It is part of the Department of Energy.
Serving the West with Federal hydropower
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