Who’s shooting up electrical equipment near JBLM?
Dec 17, 2014, 6:02 PM | Updated: 6:13 pm
A Bonneville Power Administration crew member repairs a transformer shot by vandals near JBLM. (BPA photo)
(BPA photo)
Someone’s taking shots at high-voltage power lines near Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Tacoma, and the Bonneville Power Administration is offering a reward of up to $25,000 to catch whoever is doing it.
The shooter or shooters have damaged insulators on BPA’s Olympia-Grand Coulee transmission line between 34th Avenue East and Mountain Highway East, just southeast of Lewis-McChord, between Spanaway and Graham.
In just the past 90 days, there have been four separate incidents alone, says BPA spokesman Joel Scruggs.
It might seem like a harmless prank, but Scruggs says it can put people nearby at risk of electric shock, serious injury or death.
“So we take this thing really serious,” he says.
The Insulators are a critical component because they ensure electricity stays in the power lines and does not enter other equipment such as steel towers or poles, Scruggs says.
“The damaged insulators can also cause a power line to flash over to ground, resulting in a power outage, and create a dangerous situation for electrical workers trying to keep the lights on for people during the holidays.”
Scruggs says it can also end up costing ratepayers as well, as BPA passes the repair costs along in future rate increases.
Anyone with information about the shootings is asked to contact Sgt. Frank Clark at 253-798-4963 or fclark2@co.pierce.wa.us.
