A new law recently passed during the Georgia General Assembly will have a positive impact on EMCs, co-op employees and the general public.

At a signing ceremony on May 5, Governor Sonny Perdue signed Senate Bill 82, a new law aimed at curbing metal thefts, a serious, long-term problem that has resulted in substantial property damage and financial losses for EMCs, and put employees and the general public in harm’s way.

"Combating metal thefts has been a priority for EMCs on behalf of our members for several years," said Tim Sweat, Safety Director for Jackson EMC. "The dedicated efforts of EMCs resulted in meaningful improvements in state law."  Sweat, along with other representatives of Georgia’s EMCs testified during hearings on the legislation.

Sponsored by Sen. Renee Unterman (R - Buford) and championed by Reps. Mark Williams (R - Jesup) and Matt Ramsey (R - Peachtree City), S.B. 82 will be effective July 1 and contains several key provisions meant to deter metal thefts.

It will effectively end a pattern of quick cash for metal thieves by requiring recyclers to obtain a photo I.D. of anyone selling scrap metal, to make a photocopy of the picture I.D., to pay with a check for immediate payment or pay in cash after a 24-hour waiting period. It also requires anyone convicted of metals theft to pay restitution for the materials stolen and for any collateral damage caused during the theft.

“There are very real personal and economic costs associated with these crimes,” says Sweat.  “Employees can be placed in dangerous work situations following a theft, and consumers are ultimately paying higher energy costs because we have to repair or replace damaged equipment.”

To help curb the increase in thefts, EMCs, Georgia EMC and Georgia Transmission Corp. recently announced a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone charged with metals theft.  Anyone who observes suspicious activity around an electric substation or other utility facility is asked to contact a statewide copper theft hotline at 1-877-732-8717.