CMP Crews Battling Winds to Restore Outages

Powerful gusts preventing bucket truck work, crews focus on local safety work

AUGUSTA, ME – December 23, 2022, 4 PM – Approximately 550 Central Maine Power (CMP) and contracted lineworker crews, along with 230 tree crews, are spread across CMP’s service area to clear roads and restore power. The company also has 50 digger trucks used to replace broken utility poles.

More than 178,200 CMP customers have been impacted by outages, currently 148,000 are without power.

“Strong wind gusts, surpassing 60 mph along the coast, make it unsafe for lineworkers to go up in their buckets to make repairs this afternoon,” said Adam Desrosiers, vice president Electric Operations for CMP. “We are ensuring that downed wires and trees are being cleared so emergency vehicles can get through and investigating damaged areas so we can assign the work and estimate restoration times once the crews can access it.

“We understand it is frustrating for customers to be without power, some for the second time in a week. We are focused on providing estimated restoration times as soon as we can more closely investigate specific repairs but expect winds to remain high on the coast past midnight and that this will be a multi-day effort to complete in some areas.”

In planning restoration, CMP always restores critical facilities and hospitals first, and then makes those repairs that bring back the most customers at once.

Customers may find storm preparation tips and a checklist on the CMP website.

Customers may download the free CMP Mobile App at the App Store enabling them to report outages quickly and easily, and track restoration times. They may also enroll online in Outage Alerts to stay current in the event they lose power.

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 need shelter or food, reach out to 211 for available resources.

If you lose service:

  • For fast outage reporting, visit Outage Central or use the CMP mobile app.
  • 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 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 646,000 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.

About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $40 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns and operates 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 7,000 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital in 2021 and 2022 as one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s best corporate citizens. In 2022, AVANGRID ranked second within the utility sector for its commitment to the environment and the communities it serves. The company supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2022 for the fourth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. For more information, visit avangrid.com.

Media Contact:

Catharine Hartnett
Catharine.Hartnett@Avangrid.com
207.458.3510

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