Crime & Safety

$1,000 Reward Offered in PPL Copper Wire Thefts

PPL Electric Utilities is offering $1,000 reward in hopes of stopping copper thefts at its substations.

In an effort to stop copper thefts at its substations, PPL Electric Utilities is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of anyone stealing copper wire from its company locations. 

The copper thefts from substations have been on the rise.

Spokesman Joe Nixon said the utility had 50 thefts this year so far, compared to 36 total last year. Those thefts were primarily in the Lehigh Valley, Bucks County and Northeast Pennsylvania, but they have occurred throughout the company's service territory, he said. 

Nixon did not immediately know how much copper wire has been stolen, or its estimated value.

David Bonenberger, vice president of Distribution Operations for the utility, said in a prepared statement: "Repair costs certainly are a factor, but ultimately, this is about safety. No one except qualified personnel wearing the appropriate protective equipment should be inside substations or be in contact with any of our facilities."

The substation thefts also can put customer service reliability at risk, the company said.

Copper thefts have been widespread locally and across the country, given the price of copper and its value as scrap and use in fiber optics, plumbing and anything electrical, according to a report on cnbc.com

The FBI says copper thefts present a "fairly significant problem" and threaten infrastructure.

In addition to the reward offer, PPL said it will bolster security at its substations to help deter thefts, and it will ask salvage and scrap dealers throughout its 29-county service territory to display reward posters in their businesses. 

Bonenberger said the company, along with PPL Corporate Security, works with law enforcement to investigate metal thefts.

"We need the eyes and ears of the community, including metal scrap dealers, to help turn the tide," he said. “We hope the reward will spur tips to law enforcement and deter those who might be considering stealing copper.” 

Those observing suspicious activity around PPL Electric Utilities facilities are asked to call their local police department. 

The decision on whether to issue a reward, and the amount of the reward, will be determined by PPL Electric Utilities. 


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