Winnipeg Hydro Pole Likely Cut Down for the Copper

Manitoba

 

May 7, 2018

CTV News in Winnipeg reports that a downed hydro pole in the Winnipeg neighbourhood of Point Douglas was not blown over by the wind. Manitoba Hydro believes it was cut down by someone with a chainsaw to steal the attached copper.

“The people or person responsible for this salvaged as much copper as they could off the pole and equipment,” says Manitoba Hydro spokesperson Bruce Owen.

Theft wasn’t the only consequence. While the pole in question had been de-energized, a transformer on top of the pole broke open, spilling insulating oil containing harmful PCBs. The site had to be cleaned up and decontaminated.

“PCBs in insulating oil in transformers and other electrical equipment is extremely dangerous,” says Owen.

Copper theft is not uncommon from construction sites and housing developments. Manitoba Hydro says copper is also stolen from substations, work sites and from the back of trucks.

Photo source: Manitoba Hydro

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