Thieves hit BPA substation in Shelton, Wash.; reward offered
Thieves committed similar crime two weeks ago in Kelso, Wash.

Shelton, Wash. - Last week, thieves broke into a Bonneville Power Administration substation in Shelton, Wash., and stole copper wire.  BPA and law enforcement officials are investigating, and BPA is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

The incident occurred at the Potlatch Substation located about 20 miles north of Shelton near Hoodsport. "Thieves continue to risk their lives and the safety of our crews to steal copper wire," said Darrel Underwood, district manager.  "Also, the costs associated with these thefts are ultimately paid by electricity consumers."

The incident occurred over the weekend and was discovered Tuesday.  The perpetrators cut a hole in the fence and entered the substation and cut and stole copper grounding wire.  Current cost estimates for the damage and repair are more than $4,000.  Two weeks ago, thieves broke into a substation in Kelso, Wash., damaging and stealing similar materials. 

“We’re hoping that this information will help jog the memory of someone who may know about either or both thefts or may have seen something suspicious occurring at one or both of the substations,” said Kevin West, BPA physical security specialist.  “Sometimes even small details can help law enforcement officials make significant investigative progress.” 

Through its Crime Witness Program, BPA offers up to $25,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of individuals committing crimes against BPA facilities and infrastructure. Anyone having information is asked to call BPA's confidential and toll-free Crime Witness Hotline at (800) 437-2744 or local law enforcement.

Last year, BPA provided a $4,000 reward to an individual who provided information that led to the arrest and conviction of thieves who stole copper wire and damaged equipment at BPA substations in western Montana.   Since 2006, BPA has paid 10 rewards totaling almost $13,000.

BPA is a not-for-profit federal electric utility that operates a high-voltage transmission grid comprising more than 15,000 miles of lines and associated substations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.  It also markets more than a third of the electricity consumed in the Pacific Northwest. The power is produced at 31 federal dams operated by the Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation and one nuclear plant in the Northwest and is sold to more than 140 Northwest utilities.  BPA purchases power from seven wind projects and has more than 2,000 megawatts of wind interconnected to its transmission system.

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