The U.S. House of Representatives is looking at the problem of stolen copper and other metals.
As thefts of
copper-containing pipes, wires and HVAC compressors hit near-epidemic
proportions nationwide, a pair of bipartisan lawmakers have written legislation
to tackle the problem.
Reps. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) and Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.) have
introduced a bill that would require scrap dealers to keep track of
transactions.
After the price of copper and other metals hit record highs in the last few years,
the number of reports of copper thefts from air-conditioning compressors, power
lines, plumbing and wires have shot up dramatically. In some cases, thieves are
willing to risk death to get at anything containing the suddenly precious
metals.
The
bill would set minimum requirements for junkyard owners and scrap dealers to
compile information on who is selling metals. Many states are considering or
have already passed similar legislation. The federal bill would not pre-empt
state statutes.
It
is unclear if there is enough time left on the legislative calendar to get the
bill passed into law. Congress is currently on its summer
recess.
