OTTAWA – October 17, 2019 – A crew of 26 Hydro Ottawa employees are en route to Augusta, Maine, to address the damage incurred after a powerful storm ripped through the state on Thursday morning with winds reaching more than 100 kilometres per hour. Hydro Ottawa crews are answering a call for help from Central Maine Power who are reporting 150,000 customers without power in their service area. In total, there are approximately 500,000 customers along the eastern seaboard requiring power restoration.
As a proud member of the North Atlantic Mutual Assistance Group, Hydro Ottawa offers mutual aid to other utilities across the North Atlantic during times of crisis, lending skilled tradespeople and equipment on a not-for-profit basis.
In an effort to restore power to the residents of Maine as quickly as possible, Hydro Ottawa is sending a crew of skilled technicians, along with other members of the North Atlantic Mutual Assistance Group, to assist in restoration efforts and repairing the damage from the storm, including downed power lines.
Quick Facts
- The crew travelling to Maine includes 26 personnel, including 23 power line technicians, one fleet mechanic, one safety specialist and one distribution operations supervisor.
- Mutual assistance serves as an effective and critical restoration resource for utilities. Electric companies can increase the size of their skilled trades workforce by leveraging workers from other utilities in unaffected areas.
- The North Atlantic Mutual Assistance Group enables its 29 member utilities to quickly access resources and support whenever assistance is needed to restore power. Its 29 member utilities serve approximately 36 million customers across eastern Canada and the United States.
- Hydro Ottawa has previously sent crews to assist with restoration efforts in North Carolina in anticipation of Hurricane Florence (Sept. 2018), in Georgia following Hurricanes Harvey and Irma (Sept. 2017) and in Connecticut/New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy (2012). Hydro Ottawa has also offered mutual assistance to Canadian utilities including Hydro Quebec, Toronto Hydro and Hydro One.
- Heavy rain and flooding creates a unique and dangerous environment for utility workers and the public. Relying on their years of training, powerline technicians ensure public safety and restore power in the most challenging situations.
Quotes
“After receiving tremendous support in the wake of the 2018 tornadoes, we know more than ever how important it is to come together in times of crisis. I am proud to have a team of talented employees who are eager to assist our neighbours in Maine during their time of need.”
- Bryce Conrad, President and Chief Executive Officer
Media Contact
Daniel Séguin
Director, Communications
Hydro Ottawa
Tel: 613-738-5499 ext. 7684
[email protected]