Recent Copper thefts could cost Santee Electric Cooperative members millions of dollars, said SEC Vice President of Engineering, Rob Higbe in a news release. Between Sept. 4 and Sept. 9, 2009, seven substations in Georgetown and Williamsburg Counties were broken into.
Higbe says the thieves got away with about $2,874 in copper, but adds that damages and replacement will cost the cooperative about $15,648.10.
SEC President and CEO Floyd Keels said there's also a hidden cost now because of the necessity of more advanced security systems. Keels said, "Though the 1,160 feet or so of copper didn't amount to very much, security systems could cost consumers millions in the long run."
In the news release, SEC also warned of consequences, saying if paying higher electric bills isn't enough to deter this type activity, there is also the physical risk associated with such actions. Anywhere from 69,000 to 230,000 volts of electricity feeds into each substation and is stepped down to 14,400 or 7,200 volts, which is then sent to residences and businesses for normal use. While it only takes about 1 milliamp of electricity to kill a person, the copper neutral and ground wires, can potentially carry several thousand amps of electricity, Higbe said. "Our men are trained and required to wear special safety equipment to avoid being killed while working in these areas."
Santee Electric Cooperative is asking for member's and the general public's help to stop these criminals.
Anyone who has information about these crimes or who may have seen any suspicious activity near electric substations in Georgetown and Williamsburg Counties is asked to notify the Georgetown County Sheriff's Office at 843-546-5102 or the Williamsburg County Sheriff's Office at 843-355-9696 immediately.
