Oregon Public Broadcasting

Bonneville Power Administration officials say they’ve lost more than a quarter of a million dollars to copper theft and vandalism, in the last year and a half.

And that’s not counting a break-in, Wednesday night, at a Vancouver construction site.

Doug Johnson is a spokesman for BPA.

Doug Johnson: “Late Wednesday, into Thursday morning, someone broke into a substation we have under construction, and stole some copper wire and a government truck from the site. BPA investigators are working with the Vancouver Police Department to try and bring the folks who did this to justice.”

BPA is offering a $25,000 reward, for confidential tips that lead to a conviction.

Johnson says stealing copper wire can be lethal for the thieves, and for utility workers who don’t realize power lines have been damaged.

Oregon House Republicans have announced a plan to toughen laws governing metal theft, when the legislature returns next January.