Consumers Energy, MPSC Warn of Metal Theft Dangers
July 14 2008 - 6:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
LANSING, Mich., July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- With a dramatic 104 percent
increase in Consumers Energy copper and aluminum thefts during the
first five months of 2008 compared to last year, the utility and
Michigan Public Service Commission are warning thieves they risk
severe injury or death to themselves, the general public and
utility employees when attempting to steal from the utility's
equipment or facilities. In addition, those convicted of this crime
will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Consumers Energy
has recorded 55 copper/aluminum thefts through May of this year,
with incidents occurring at the utility's substations up 275
percent through the same timeframe. A total of 30 substation thefts
have been tallied, up from eight in 2007. "Theft of these metals is
so much more expensive than their actual value. Public safety is
compromised every time such a theft occurs, energy interruptions
can result, and unexpected repair costs are incurred," said Frank
Johnson, senior vice president of Energy Operations for Consumers
Energy. Anyone witnessing suspicious activity around utility
equipment or facilities is urged to call 1-800-760-3295
immediately, or contact local law enforcement officials, who can
expedite capture or recovery efforts. The utility has also
implemented increased security and surveillance measures at key
locations to assist in identifying those responsible for this
illegal activity. Substation thefts continue to be prevalent in
Genesee, Saginaw, Calhoun, Jackson and Barry Counties which have
seen a marked increase in theft incidents since last year. "In
communities large and small, copper cable theft continues to be a
major problem that hurts customers - from the resulting power
outages, to the dangerous, live wires that may be exposed in
neighborhoods," said Michigan Public Service Commission Chairman
(MPSC) Orjiakor Isiogu. "The MPSC urges customers to be watchful
and report any suspicious activity around utility areas to the
police." Consumers Energy is offering a $1,000 reward for
information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved
in theft of copper, vandalism, tampering or trespassing at an
electric substation or service center. Consumers Energy, the
principal subsidiary of CMS Energy Corporation (NYSE:CMS), provides
natural gas and electricity to more than six million of the state's
nearly 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
DATASOURCE: Consumers Energy CONTACT: Terry DeDoes,
+1-517-374-2159, or Debra Dodd, +1-586-918-0597, both of Consumers
Energy Web site: http://www.consumersenergy.com/ Company News
On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/203850.html
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