Copper theft is on the rise, and Cullman Electric Cooperative is asking its member to be on the lookout for suspicious activity near substations and power lines.

This year several of Cullman EC’s substations have been vandalized and had copper coils stolen from transformers. In recent weeks, an investigation found 28 power lines had been stripped of the copper used for grounding wire.

Kyle Baggett, Cullman EC’s vice president of engineering and operations, said the copper taken from transformers or stripped off power lines is worth a few dollars to the thief, but can cost Cullman EC thousands of dollars in materials and labor to replace the equipment and repair the damage.

“This is your co-op, so when someone steals copper from a power line or substation, they are stealing from you,” Baggett said.

If you see any unusual activity in or around substations, towers, utility poles, storage sites and other electric utility property, report it to Cullman Electric Cooperative immediately by calling (256) 737-3201. Let us know the location along with any other helpful information such as the suspect’s height, weight, type of vehicle and license plate. Do not approach the suspect or attempt to stop them.

No one should ever climb substation fences, utility poles or towers. People must also stay away from substations and transformers. Activity like this is hazardous, can result in severe injury and in some unfortunate cases, death.