Aug 8, 2023
Break-in at a power substation near Nicolai Road and Bishop Road in Goble that occurred July 23.
One or more individuals broke into the PUD's Goble Substation and stole copper from the substation. The incident caused severe damage to electrical equipment in the substation and knocked out power to 934 PUD customers around 4 p.m., according to a PUD press release.
The PUD estimates that roughly $30 worth of copper was stolen. The release stated that replacing the damaged equipment would cost at least $100,000. If the substation transformer was damaged, the cost could be substantially higher.
Once the PUD can replace the destroyed equipment, it will run tests to determine whether the transformer needs to be replaced as well.
While the damage knocked out power to 934 customers, PUD workers were able to work quickly to restore power after two hours. The PUD rerouted power from a nearby substation.
"In this instance, our linemen closed a switch at a different location to allow customers normally served by the Goble Substation to be served by the Don Nys Substation," Boggs said.
Found On Mainstream Media