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Metal Recycling News November 18, 2015 01:01:49 PM

Copper theft leads to power outage in Pikeville

Carolina Curiel
ScrapMonster Author
Copper theft at Kentucky Power substation has resulted in a power outage for almost five hours Monday night in Pikeville.

Copper theft leads to power outage in Pikeville

SPOKANE (Scrap Monster): Copper theft by vandals has resulted in a major power outage that lasted for almost five hours Monday night in Pikeville.

According to sources, thieves gained access into the Kentucky Power South Pikeville Substation by cutting the fencing surrounding the high-voltage mobile transformer at around 8 PM in the night. Once inside, they removed copper grounds and neutrals, thereby disrupting services to nearly 1,500 customers. The transformer served customers in downtown Pikeville and Island Creek. The power outage also affected Pikeville Medical Center. Power was restored by around 1 AM Tuesday morning.

According to Everett Phillips of Kentucky Power, the stolen copper was worth only nearly $200 as scrap metal. He added that scrap copper currently sells for less than $2 per pound. However, the repair costs to the company, including labor and material, are estimated at around $7,500. He stated that the thieves have risked their lives for diminutive monetary gain. Also such acts cause damage to company property and create danger to customers and employees. The substations in remote areas have been preferred targets of thieves, owing to difficulties in theft detection.

The power distribution company has decided to pursue legal action against the theft. Information leading to prosecution will be offered a reward of $5,000. The company also urged residents to report any suspicious activity to local enforcement. They can also call 1-800-752-6007 to report the same.

Kentucky Power, with headquarters in Frankfort, Ky., provides service to approximately 170,000 customers in all or part of 20 eastern Kentucky counties. It is a unit of the American Electric Power system, one of the largest electric utilities in the U.S., with more than 5.3 million customers in eleven states.



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