Stealing copper is costly and deadly.

The price of copper has risen in the past two years and so has copper theft - a crime that impacts EMC consumers because it hits an electric cooperative's bottom line. Not only does copper theft cost money, it's also a dangerous crime often resulting in serious injuries. Georgia EMCs, Georgia Power and municipal utilities are working together to educate the public about copper theft, and we're asking our members to help with this effort.

Most metal thefts occur at night, usually at electric substations or construction sites, especially for new residential subdivisions. People chance injury, even death, when cutting an energized copper wire because they run the risk of electrocution.

If you see suspicious activity or a copper or metal theft crime in progress, please notify the police. You're not only saving the cooperative money, you could be saving a life.