You can help reduce the cost of power theft

Here locally and throughout the United States, power theft and fraud plague electric utilities.  Some nationwide estimates show these crimes cost honest customers up to $6 billion annually. Although most energy theft occurs in residential areas it is also present in commercial, industrial, and agricultural areas. When theft occurs and an uncollectible expense is created, the burden falls back to the honest customers that do pay.  Just as costs related to shoplifting are passed on to good customers through higher prices for the good they purchase, a utility has to make up a loss caused by theft through higher rates..

Some factors to consider if someone steals power:

At Benton PUD we have trained staff who routinely watch for evidence of power theft.  When thieves set out to steal, tamper with meters, lines, transformers, etc. it puts them in serious danger as well as the rest of the public.  They can be electrocuted, cause a fire, or create a hazard that can harm innocent people. There are many documented stories and reports of harmful situations created by energy thieves trying to avoid paying for a service and by doing so caused house and apartment building fires that resulted in loss of life and property.

Benton PUD policies are very clear in how customers who steal power by tampering with equipment or through fraud should expect to be treated.  We prosecute lawbreakers to the maximum degree allowed.  In a power theft situation where tampering has occurred we will seek the maximum penalty of a $5,000 fine and one year in jail.  In cases of fraud where false identification has been used, we will disconnect service, require legal identification, and collect an additional deposit(s) to cover potential losses.