Copper-Seeking Vandals In Moore Cause Power Outage

Thursday, August 10th 2006, 6:08 am

By: News On 6

MOORE, Okla. (AP) -- Authorities believe vandals or thieves looking for copper broke into an Oklahoma Gas and Electric substation in Moore, causing a power outage to at least 3,800 area customers.

OG&E spokesman Brian Alford said Wednesday the outage occurred about 3:30 PM and may have affected customers in Norman, too.

Alford says officials don't know long it would take to restore power, which has been crucial in this 100 degree-plus heat.

He says a portable power unit has been brought in to help restore service as quickly as possible. If the substation equipment has been permanently damaged, repairs could top $500,000.

Alford says prices copper are high now and the company is seeing more thefts of the metal in its service area.