States battle rise in copper thefts

Now there is this problem: Copper around the country is being stolen at such rates that at least sixteen states have passed or proposed new laws to try and stem the tide, and businesses have boosted security and offered bounties for information on the thieves. The crackdown comes as losses to businesses hover around $1 billion, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) reports, and as escalating thefts have disrupted the flow of electricity, slowed construction projects, and knocked out irrigation networks crucial to commercial farms. USA Today’s Kevin Johnson writes that seizing on rising worldwide demand and surging value for the popular metal — up from 80 cents per pound in 2003 to about $3.50 this year — thieves sell stolen copper for millions of dollars in cash, state and federal authorities say. “We’re trying to do everything possible to fight this epidemic,” says Adam Grant, spokesman at Nevada Power, where copper thefts have more than doubled since last year. “It’s crazy.”

The new and proposed laws toughen penalties for the thefts and tighten regulation of the lucrative salvage industry to prevent the resale of stolen materials. Among the bills tracked by the National Conference on State Legislatures:

—In Arizona, new laws require dealers to maintain photocopies of sellers’ driver’s licenses and increase penalties for convicted thieves. The laws took effect in May.

—An unusual Washington state proposal would exempt landowners from liability when thieves stealing copper are injured.

—Oklahoma has elevated copper thefts from misdemeanor violations to felony offenses.

AT&T has offered up to $5,000 for information leading to convictions of thieves who have hit various corporate holdings. Spokesman Fletcher Cook says the thefts are a serious threat to the integrity of the communications network.