CMP restores service to 75,000 customers, but warns that many will be without power for at least one more night

 


Customers urged to sign up for Outage Alerts for up-to-date information about outages affecting their homes or businesses

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

AUGUSTA, ME  Dec. 30, 2016  Central Maine Power Company (CMP), a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), reports

approximately 57,000 customers are without service as of 4 p.m. The winter storm that moved through the region Thursday night disrupted service to more than 133,000 homes and businesses. Outages from heavy snow and high winds peaked at more than 100,000 shortly before 8 a.m. Friday.

 

CMP had brought in an additional 200 line and tree crews from contractors before the storm reached Maine, and the company continued to bring in additional resources throughout the day from utilities and contractors throughout the Northeast and Canada. CMP estimates a team of more than 1,200 field and support personnel are engaged in the restoration in advance of the New Year's holiday weekend. The field effort includes roughly 100 CMP line crews assisted by nearly 190 contract crews for line repair and 130 tree crews from the Canadian provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick, as well as from Maine, Connecticut, and New York.

 

The storm damage was distributed widely across the company's service area with the heaviest damage in a broad band parallel to the coast, including large portions of Androscoggin, Cumberland, Kennebec, Sagadahoc, and Waldo counties. Difficult travel on secondary roads and deep snow banks has made the task of restoring service more difficult. The company expects it could be several days before power is restored in the hardest hit areas.

 

A list of outages by county is on CMP's web site: m.cmpco.com. The company will update the web site with estimated restoration times as soon as more information is available.

 

CMP urges customers to report outages on its mobile-friendly web site at m.cmpco.com or by calling 1.800.696.1000. Customers can also sign up for CMP's free Outage Alerts service, which provides the latest information about power outages by text message, email, or voice message.

 

CMP offers customers the following tips to prepare for the storm and stay safe and comfortable during power outages:
 

During a power interruption:

  • Power outages can be reported on line at CMP's mobile-friendly website ( https://m.cmpco.com/mt/ecmp.cmpco.com/WebOutage) or by calling 1.800.696.1000. Our systems automatically create a work order and set the stage for dispatch of crews to the outage location.
  • Bookmark the Outage Central page at http://www.cmpco.com/Outages/default.html (mobile friendly at https://m.cmpco.com/mt/www.cmpco.com) and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for current outage and safety information.
    When using an emergency heating source, like a wood stove, fireplace, or kerosene heater, keep fuels away from the flames and be sure to ventilate properly.
  • Never use grills or camp stoves indoors they can give off dangerous gases.
  • Keep refrigerators and freezers closed as much as possible. Most food will last 24 hours or longer if you minimize the opening of refrigerator and freezer doors.
  • Turn off or unplug major appliances to avoid overloading circuits when power is restored.


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: http://www.cmpco.com/UsageAndSafety/electricalsafety/GeneratorSafety/default.html
    Visit http://www.cmpco.com/Outages/storm_safety.html for additional storm safety information.


After Power Is Restored

  • Turn on appliances and sensitive electronic equipment one at a time to avoid overloading circuits.
  • If a basement or home was flooded, have an electrician check the home before contacting CMP to have services turned on.
  • Replenish any emergency supplies used during the storm.

 

The company urges customers to use caution if they see downed lines.

 

Everyone should stay clear of any downed power lines or fallen trees that may be tangled in the lines,said CMP Spokesperson Gail Rice. All downed lines should be considered live and dangerous. Customers should leave the clean-up to our crews, who are trained and equipped to handle these situations safely.


CMP also reminds drivers to use caution when approaching utility crews. The working conditions are difficult, and the workers appreciate everyone's consideration for their safety.


Additional information on storm safety and restoration, including a town-by-town listing of outages in the CMP service area with an area map, can be found on CMP's web site at www.cmpco.com.

 

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CMP Lineworker Garret Couturier repairs storm damage in Augusta.

 

About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a diversified energy and utility company with more than $30 billion in assets and operations in 25 states. The company operates regulated utilities and electricity generation through two primary lines of business. Avangrid Networks includes eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving 3.1 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables operates 6.3 gigawatts of electricity capacity, primarily through wind power, in states across the United States. AVANGRID employs 7,000 people. The company was formed by a merger between AVANGRID and UIL Holdings Corporation in 2015. IBERDROLA S.A. (Madrid: IBE), a worldwide leader in the energy industry, owns 81.5% of AVANGRID. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.

 

About CMP: Central Maine Power Company (CMP) is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR). As Maine's largest electricity transmission and distribution utility, CMP serves 620,000 homes and businesses, representing about 80% of Maine's customer base. J.D. Power and Associates has ranked the company #1 in customer satisfaction seven times. For more information, visit www.cmpco.com.
 

Media Contact:

Gail Rice 
gail.rice@avangrid.com
207.622.NEWS

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