NEWS FROM WESTERN AREA POWER ADMINISTRATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 1, 2007
CONTACT: Theresa Williams, 720-962-7051, twilliam@wapa.gov
HELP WESTERN COMBAT VANDALISM AT BEAVER CREEK ELECTRIC FACILITY
LAKEWOOD, Colo.?A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of individuals who stole materials from a high-voltage electrical substation near Brush, Colo., on July 30. The Beaver Creek Substation is owned by Western Area Power Administration, a Federal agency.
A Western employee noticed a hole in the fence and reported the theft of about 3,480 feet of copper wire to the Morgan County Sheriff. The estimated value of the wire is more than $4,000. It will also cost the agency about $500 to repair the damage to the fence.
If you see any suspicious activity in or around high-voltage electrical equipment, Western asks that you call its Crime Watch program toll-free at 1-800-209-8962. You can also report information online at http://www.wapa.gov/CorpSrvs/crime.htm or contact the Morgan County Sheriff?s Office at (970) 867-2461. Witness identities remain confidential. Western will offer up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of people responsible for breaking into its facilities.
?We appreciate any information on vandalism to our facilities,? said Western?s Security Officer Pam Moody.
Because of the labor and materials to fix the damage, incidents like this one can contribute to higher operation and maintenance costs, which can result in higher electric bills. While this theft did not cause any customer outages, damage to electrical facilities can occasionally result in a blackout if power cannot be rerouted while the facility is being repaired.
?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.?
-30-
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.
Serving the West with Federal hydropower
Return to the Newsroom.