Electric Power Industry Prepares for Hurricane Irma

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Electric companies in the path of Hurricane Irma are preparing for the storm and urge customers to do the same. Affected companies are pre-positioning workers and related equipment in the areas most likely to be hardest hit, and they are working to secure additional resources through the industry's mutual assistance network. Customers are urged to prepare now for Irma and for the possibility of a lengthy restoration effort. If ordered to evacuate, customers should do so immediately.

"Hurricane Irma is an extremely dangerous storm," said EEI President Tom Kuhn. "Record-breaking winds, heavy rain, and storm surges have the potential to cause significant and extended power outages. Electric companies in Irma's forecasted path have activated their emergency response plans, and are mobilizing thousands of restoration workers, staging equipment, and coordinating preparation and response efforts with federal, state, and local government officials. Safety is our industry's number one priority, and crews will work around the clock to restore power as conditions warrant."

The CEO-led Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council (ESCC) is monitoring Hurricane Irma to ensure unity of effort across the highest levels of industry and government. This afternoon, Department of Energy Secretary Rick Perry and Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Elaine Duke joined a call with the CEOs of companies in the path of Hurricane Irma to discuss the mutual assistance preparation and staging activities underway.

"Strong industry-government coordination was key during Hurricane Harvey and will be just as critical as the industry responds to Hurricane Irma. We appreciate Secretary Perry's and Acting Secretary Duke's ongoing leadership in helping to coordinate the industry response," said Kuhn.

EEI's Storm Center is a resource for real-time information and updates on storm preparation and restoration progress. It also includes a map to company outage centers. Customers can follow EEI on Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates.

EEI is the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. Our members provide electricity for 220 million Americans, and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As a whole, the electric power industry supports more than 7 million jobs in communities across the United States. In addition to our U.S. members, EEI has more than 60 international electric companies, with operations in more than 90 countries, as International Members, and hundreds of industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate Members. Organized in 1933, EEI provides public policy leadership, strategic business intelligence, and essential conferences and forums.

SOURCE Edison Electric Institute

Related Links

http://www.eei.org