A recent string of copper thefts from our utility poles has us concerned for the safety of the thieves, the safety of our grid and the safety of our employees. 

Anyone approaching a utility pole without proper training is potentially at risk. More importantly, removing grounds from our poles can expose our lineworkers to safety hazards when restoring service, in addition to decreasing our system reliability. 

The copper wire grounds are on the poles to protect them from lightning strikes. When the grounds are removed, the electric grid that powers your homes, businesses and schools is much more susceptible to failure, knocking power out for a period of time. Once those grounds are removed, we have to send out lineworkers to fix the problem. Finding which poles have been burglarized is a challenge on its own. Our lineworkers work diligently every day to make sure our system is in good working order, and the extra time they have to spend repairing poles that otherwise were in good shape puts a strain on them and the system. 

Climbing a pole to fix an issue is part of the job. Fixing damage done by thieves is an extra job for our team that just isn't necessary. 

Every member is important to us, and we want to make sure we deliver reliable power to you all the time. Copper theft can do serious damage to our grid. 

We hope you'll help us by reporting any unusual activity you see to us and your local authorities. If you see someone around a utility pole that doesn't belong, please contact our office and the Sheriff in your county. We hope the thefts will stop without doing further damage to our system.