Officials test for PCBs that might have come out of transformer

Scrap metal thieves who stole $443 worth of copper wiring caused an estimated $100,000 in damages when they sawed down a decommissioned power pole last week. According to information from the Benton County Sheriff's Office, about 180 gallons of oil mixed with a hazardous chemical commonly known as PCBs are believed to have spilled into a nearby pond and onto the ground as a result.

The theft of 120 pounds of copper wire was reported on March 19 to police at 4875 Highway 20, on property owned by Knife River. Local representatives of the Bismarck, N.D., construction company declined comment.

Bill Mason, a clean-up specialist with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, said Knife River had hired a private contractor to contain and investigate potential contamination. "They have people on-site, I believe, in special suits and respirators," Mason said. "We have samples collected that are being tested for the presence of PCBs."

Polychlorinated biphenyls were commonly used in transformers because they don't burn easily. In the 1970s, they were banned by the government.

Mason said that there were several similar thefts in Eugene, along a bike path.

Benton County Sheriff Diana Simpson said that her office probably takes reports of scrap metal theft at least once per month. "What we'll see sometimes is construction sites that are running wire. (Thieves) steal the wire and either melt or cut the covering off the copper wire."

The power pole theft was unusual, however, she said. And especially so because of the environmental damage likely caused. What's not unusual is the likely motive, she said.

"Frequently, people who are buying drugs are people who are involved in these kind of thefts. It's all about drug use and drug addiction."

Kyle Odegard can be contacted at kyle.odegard@lee.net or 758-9523.