Security beefed up at PUC substations

Sault Ste. Marie's Public Utilities Commission is introducing 'significant' security upgrades at its substations after recent incidents related to copper thefts.

"We are seeing some security challenges," PUC president and chief executive officer Rob Brewer told a board meeting on Friday.

"At a couple of our substations, we've had some issues with respect to copper in substations," Brewer said.

"It's trying to help protect the public because they're extremely hazardous places to try to play.

"And so, we'll have fancy cameras and that sort of stuff."

The PUC board received some positive financial news about its latest quarter ended Sept. 30, 2023.

Here are some highlights:

• the commission has a year-to-date operating surplus of $6.9 million, which is $1.9 million higher than budgeted
• revenue was $1.1 million higher than budgeted, primarily as a result of residential and general service revenues and investment interest above budget
• operating expenses were $1 million lower than the budget as a result of lower labour and external contractor costs related to reduced water main and hydrant maintenance activity
• the forecast operating surplus to the end of the year is estimated to be $7.8 million, an increase of $2.1 million from the annual budget based on current trending and anticipated revenues and expenses
• capital expenditures year to date at the end of September was $2.5 million, which is $3.2 million lower than the year-to-date budget of $5.7 million. This variance in budget is related to city projects and water main relining beginning later than budgeted for and the deferral of certain projects to 2024