Electric Co-op Today

One bullet can seriously damage an electric transformer, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars in damage and tying up skilled personnel and specialized equipment for days.

One bullet weighing less than an ounce caused a transformer like the one to the right of this hole to leak oil, requiring an environmental cleanup. (Photo By: People’s Cooperative Services)

Those are among the lessons learned by co-ops that have had substations vital to their distribution systems hit by gunfire. Two cases that occurred last year have remained open for months, and investigators have yet to make any arrests. A recent article on gunfire vandalism that appeared in ECT.coop, triggered renewed interests in the cases.

“We found oil leaking from one of our power transformers at one of our substations following a power outage,” said Peter Rossi, manager of business support services for Powder River Energy Corp. “We literally used a rubber glove to plug the leak but we had to bring in one of our temporary transformers until we could change it out.”

A substation belonging to the Sundance, Wyo.-based cooperative was struck by at least one bullet last year. The cartridge weighed less than an ounce and probably cost about 70 cents, but did an estimated $70,000 damage to a transformer valued at $250,000.

“We immediately offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension of the suspects responsible, but within weeks, the board increased the amount to $15,000,” Rossi said. “We haven’t had anyone come forward, but we’re still working with the sheriff’s department and this remains an open case.”

A bullet hole in a fin of a substation transformer led to the leak of 370 gallons of oil at a co-op facility in Minnesota. (Photo By: People’s Cooperative Services)

A similar incident occurred in the service territory of People’s Cooperative Services. During a routine check of a substation, workers discovered what appeared to be small holes in a gate sign at the facility.

“They discovered that the substation transformer was leaking oil,” said Jeff Allen, director of operations at the Rochester, Minn.-based co-op. “The transformer appeared to have been hit two times, and there were three bullet holes in the sign on the front gate.”

The 3,750-kilovolt transformer leaked about 370 gallons of oil, which had to be collected and removed from the site.

Despite the offer of a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, local authorities have not been able to close the case.

“We’ve already spent $176,470 to replace the transformer and clean up the damage,” Allen said. “No bullet was recovered but there were shell casings found at the scene.”

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Tags: Crime, Power Outages, Substation, Transformer