A transformer at the People's Cooperative Services substation was vandalized by gunshot, causing $200,000 in damages, according to a press release from the utility.
Line workers discovered the damage during routine maintenance on Friday. Crews worked through the weekend to address the problem and power has been temporarily rerouted to ensure continued service to members.
The substation serves members in Ashland, Canisteo, Hayfield, Rock Dell, and Vernon townships. No outages have been reported as a result of the damage, but power quality issues related to the vandalism are being addressed.
Anyone with information regarding the vandalism is encouraged to call law enforcement at (507) 635-6200. A $5,000 reward is being offered for anyone giving information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the people involved.
People's Cooperative Services is a member-owned electric cooperative providing electric power to its nearly 12,000 member-owners in Olmsted, Dodge, Fillmore, Mower, Wabasha and Winona counties.
