CMP Clearing Roads and Debris, Responding to Outages

Customers are being advised to prepare for extended outages  

AUGUSTA, Maine — December 6, 2020 – Central Maine Power (CMP) worked through Saturday night to make conditions safe following heavy, wet snow and winds throughout its service area. With more than 225,000 customers impacted by this storm, crews will continue to work throughout Sunday to restore power. Historical data shows that Level III storms such as this result in outages lasting between three and five days. CMP is currently assessing, and will post Estimated Restoration Times as soon as they are able. Given the extensive scale of outages, the company is advising that customers should be prepared to be without power for an extended amount of time.

CMP was prepared ahead of the storm with 336 line crews, including 100 internal CMP crews with support from in- and out-of-state contractors, all of which have been deployed. 181 tree crews were also positioned ahead of the storm and are assisting with clearing and restoration efforts today. An additional 136 line crews are in route to Maine to provide support, including crews from CMP’s sister companies in New York and Connecticut. CMP is utilizing all resources to ensure an effective storm response, like taking measures such as sending drones up to assess damage to transmission lines. In total, there are over 1,500 people supporting restoration efforts.

“This storm caused significant tree and limb damage as a result of heavy, wet snow and strong winds,” said David Flanagan, CMP’s Executive Chairman. “Crews worked hard overnight to ensure conditions were made safe, and those efforts will continue throughout the day today. Facing more wind today, our crews will work as quickly as possible to restore power to our customers.”

CMP continues to work closely with the Maine Emergency Management Agency and local emergency management agencies to address road closures and understand local restoration priorities. 

CMP reminds customers to remember the following if they have lost power:

  • Stay away from downed lines. No line is safe to touch.
  • Turn off or unplug major appliance and sensitive electronics.
  • Never use range or outdoor stoves to heat your home.
  • If you are in need of shelter or food, reach out to 211 for available resource.

CMP continues to observe all COVID-19 safety protocols in storm response including:

- Working in separate teams to minimize contact
- Restricting visitor access to company facilities
- Entering a customer residence only in the event of emergency and after assessing risk
- Maintaining appropriate social distancing in the field
- Allowing one employee per vehicle
- Wearing masks

Customers may use online tools, accessible at www.cmpco.com to report and monitor outages.

If you lose service:

To report an outage, visit Outage Central at cmpco.com. Customers may also report an outage using CMP’s 24/7 automated phone system at 800.696.1000. 

Keep sensitive electronic appliances such as computers, TVs and stereos plugged into a surge protector, or unplug them. They could be damaged if a power surge occurs when electricity is restored.
Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. For information about food safety, visit http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/refridg_food.html.

For customers with generators:

  • Hire a licensed electrician to install permanent generators and transfer switches.
  • Properly ground all portable generators.
  • Carefully read and observe all instructions in your generator’s operating manual.
  • Never run a generator indoors, or even in an open garage.
  • If your carbon monoxide detector goes off – get out of the building immediately and call 911.
  • Do not store fuel indoors or try to refuel a generator while it’s running.
  • Refer to CMP’s web page on generator safety

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About CMP: Central Maine Power Company (CMP), a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc., is Maine’s largest electricity transmission and distribution utility. Established in 1899 and based in Augusta, Maine, CMP serves approximately 636,000 customers across 346 communities in central and southern Maine. It operates approximately 23,500 miles of distribution lines and 2,900 miles of transmission lines. Over the last decade, the company has invested approximately $3.5 billion in Maine system infrastructure. In 2019, CMP was named Large Business of the Year by the Kennebec Valley United Way. For more information, visit www.cmpco.com.

About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a leading, sustainable energy company with approximately $36 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states. With headquarters in Orange, Connecticut, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. AVANGRID employs approximately 6,600 people. AVANGRID supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2019 and 2020 by the Ethisphere Institute. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.

Media Contact:

  • Catharine Hartnett
    catharine.hartnett@avangrid.com
    207.458-3510 (cell)
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