VIDEO MESSAGE: CMP Provides Update on Storm Restoration Efforts

Restoration Efforts Now Exceed that of 1998 Ice Storm 

AUGUSTA, ME — December 19, 2023 — CMP President Joe Purington provided an update to customers on Tuesday evening after a powerful windstorm knocked out power to more than 400,000 customers. By end of day Tuesday, the company will have more than 1,175 line and tree crews working to restore power. That figure exceeds that of the 1998 Ice Storm which saw 1,048 line and tree crews at its peak. More than 142,000 CMP customers have had their power restored as of early Tuesday evening. 

Video: Storm Restoration Update from CMP President, Joe Purington

“We know how frustrating it can be to be without power, and we appreciate your patience.  In areas hardest hit, particularly in some interior parts of the state, we could be faced with a six-day restoration timeframe based on what we know right now,” said Purington in a video message. “We understand the disruption an outage can cause to daily life. Please know our entire team will be working around the clock to restore your power quickly and safely.”

Since the storm began, Central Maine Power has received more than 1,500 calls from local emergency management agencies involving damaged trees, broken poles, washed out roads, and area flooding. This has created incredibly challenging conditions for crews, who have been unable to access some areas that have been hardest hit, particularly in interior parts of Maine. 
 

 

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 ranges 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, use the CMP mobile app or visit Outage Central.
  • 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 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 $41 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: networks and renewables. Through its networks business, AVANGRID owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Through its renewables business, AVANGRID owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. AVANGRID employs more than 7,500 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital in 2021, 2022 and 2023 as one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s best corporate citizens. In 2023, AVANGRID ranked first within the utility sector for its commitment to the environment. 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. AVANGRID is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A. For more information, visit https://www.avangrid.com.

Media Contact:

Jon Breed
Jonathan.Breed@avangrid.com
207.458.3510

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