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Avangrid, Inc., an energy company that is part of the Iberdrola Group, has deployed support crews to assist with power restoration efforts in western Pennsylvania following severe storms that impacted the region on the evening of Tuesday, April 29. In response to a call for mutual assistance, Avangrid has mobilized personnel from its Connecticut-based subsidiary, United Illuminating (UI). The deployment includes 30 lineworkers, four managers, and two support staff members, all of whom are scheduled to arrive in Pennsylvania later this evening. These crews will work alongside West Penn Power, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., and other out-of-state utility crews to help restore electricity to the affected areas. The storms that moved through the region were part of a large system stretching from Texas to New York. Western Pennsylvania experienced some of the most severe impacts, with wind gusts exceeding 80 miles per hour. The extreme weather caused widespread damage, including the toppling of hundreds of trees, which resulted in hazardous road conditions and widespread power outages. Pedro Azagra, CEO of Avangrid, said in a statement, “As all of us at Avangrid know, the lineworkers and other front-line workers at UI are some of the best in the business. When severe storms impact other utilities’ customers in neighboring states, while leaving our own customers unscathed, we are quick to jump into action to help restore outages as quickly and safely as possible. I am deeply grateful to our team as they travel many hours away from home to lend a hand in western Pennsylvania, and I thank each and every one of them for responding to these urgent requests for assistance with both generosity and enthusiasm.” Tragically, at least three fatalities have been reported, including two individuals who were electrocuted by downed power lines. At the height of the storm’s impact, more than 500,000 customers in the greater Pittsburgh area and other parts of western Pennsylvania were without power. Restoration efforts are currently underway, with electric utilities, including West Penn Power, working around the clock. However, due to the extent of the damage, full restoration is expected to take several days. |
