Topic: Copper Theft

Despite a $7.5 billion federal investment, only a handful of EV charging stations have been built since 2021. In cities like Vallejo and Minneapolis, existing chargers are being targeted by thieves who cut the heavy cables to steal the copper inside. The cost of repairing these stations far exceeds the scrap value of the copper, creating a significant hurdle for the national charging network's reliability.

Louisiana Representative Ricky Hardy co-authored House Bill 195, which prohibits the use of cash in transactions for second-hand goods, requiring checks or electronic payments instead. The law targets criminals selling stolen copper and electronics but also applies to jewelry, precious metals, and furniture. The hosts argue the law is unconstitutional as it rejects US currency as legal tender for debt.