With Hurricane Irene barreling down the Atlantic Coast, local workers with Kentucky Utilities along with Louisville Gas and Electric companies will offer restoration assistance to PPL Electric Utilities in Pennsylvania, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation, the utilities’ parent company, as well as Dominion Power in Virginia.
Nearly 260 KU and LG&E employees and Kentucky-based contractors left this morning from locations across Kentucky to provide support in what will likely be a significant restoration event for the Northeast.
KU provides power to Marion and portions of southern Crittenden County.
KU spokesman Cliff Feltham said six people from the Madisonville and Eddyville regional offices who are going to assist.
"Of course, that's who serves your area," Feltham said.
The team consists of veteran line technicians, team leaders, safety specialists, and tree trimmers. Crews will replace or repair poles, towers, cross-arms, transformers, and other components of electrical infrastructure that will likely be damaged by Hurricane Irene.
The effort is part of KU and LG&E’s participation in the mutual assistance program, in which a collection of utility companies assist other utilities in times of natural disasters and crisis situations.
