
ANTIOCH (KCBS) – Just days after Pacific Gas and Electric lamented the ongoing and widespread theft of copper wire from its Antioch power poles, the utility is now revealing that a particularly brazen thief – or thieves – stole an entire transformer from a power pole.
This is in addition to the knocking down of an estimated 300 power poles, stripping them of their lucrative copper wiring.
READ MORE: COVID: California Allows For Some Fans At Ballparks, Limited Capacity At Amusement Parks April 1There is copper wiring in the transformer, as well.
It’s a risky move, the utility warned, because it’s energized electrical wiring that’s being taken. In fact, people have been electrocuted or otherwise seriously injured attempting to lift the wiring.
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It will cost PG&E tens of thousands of dollars to replace the downed power poles and stolen transformer. The price tag to replace just one power pole and its missing transformer: $12,000.
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