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Talk of the bay
Utilities crack down on electricity theft
By Times Staff Writer
Published January 24, 2005
Stealing electricity from an electric utility is a surprisingly common crime. Navigant Consulting Inc. of Chicago estimates that power theft, often via meter tampering, totalsabout $6-billion a year in the United States - more than bank robberies, jewel thefts and shoplifting combined.
It's a big enough concern that Progress Energy Florida felt compelled to issue a reminder this month that it remains vigilant against stolen electricity. The St. Petersburg utility said it investigated 4,353 cases of theft last year andrecovered more than $2.8-million from customers who stole electricity.
"We aggressively investigate cases of energy theft, recover as much lost revenue as possible and, when appropriate, press criminal charges," Progress customer service director Willette Morman-Perry said in a statement.
Progress spokesman Aaron Perlut said stealing electricity poses serious safety hazards, such as electrocution, fires and sending electricity coursing back through a power line, which could endanger nearby linemen.
Meanwhile, Tampa Electric Co. has been busy tracking down power filchers, having conducted 1,879 investigations in 2004 and recovering a record $987,659, according to spokesman Ross Bannister.
"People think it's a victimless crime but, in fact, all ratepayers share the cost of electricity theft," he said.
[Last modified January 21, 2005, 20:02:03]
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