Utilities combat theft of service

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Gas Ind.; ()

OSTI ID:6322281

Lady, P

Today theft of service has become a serious problem for the gas utilities (one utility estimated it to be 10% of its net profit) and many companies have established special departments or units to deal with it. Major factors contributing to gas theft are (1) the price escalation after the 1973-74 oil embargo, (2) high unemployment, (3) poor economic conditions, (4) a general decline in respect for utilities and the law, (5) minimal risk to offenders (customers feel that nothing will happen to them if they get caught), (6) relatively low skill required to illegally restore utility service, and (7) the attitude of getting something for nothing. Some preventive methods now being recommended include the following: (1) the use of computers to scan consumption patterns, (2) unannounced meter readings, and (3) tips from hotline tape recordings and from meter readers, departments, and neighboring utilities.

• OSTI ID: 6322281
• Journal Information: Gas Ind.; (), Journal Name: Gas Ind.; () Vol. 27
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030600* -- Natural Gas-- Economic
Industrial
& Business Aspects
CRIME
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GAS UTILITIES
GASES
NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
OPERATION
PHYSICAL PROTECTION DEVICES
PUBLIC UTILITIES
SECURITY
THEFT
VULNERABILITY