NEWS FROM WESTERN AREA POWER ADMINISTRATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 25, 2007
CONTACT: Theresa Williams, 720-962-7051, twilliam@wapa.gov
HELP WESTERN COMBAT VANDALISM AT BOULDER CITY ELECTRIC FACILITY
LAKEWOOD, Colo.?Two individuals were caught breaking into a high-voltage electrical substation near Boulder City, Nev., on July 22. The police took the pair into custody after a security guard caught them trying to steal copper wire from the Mead Substation, owned by Western Area Power Administration, a Federal agency.
Vandals cut a hold in the fence surrounding the facility and tried to flee the area in their truck with cabling wrapped around their bumper.
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 Boulder City Police Department at 702-293-9224. 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.
Fortunately, the equipment was returned to Western following the pair?s arrest but it will cost the Federal agency $3,000 to repair damage to the fence and the copper cables. Because of the labor and materials to fix the damage, 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.?
-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.