News Release was sent from Edison Electric Institute

SAN DIEGO – The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) today presented Alabama Power with the EEI “Emergency Assistance Award” for its outstanding power restoration efforts after a windstorm hit Lowell, Massachusetts, in October 2017.

The Emergency Assistance Award is given to select EEI member companies to recognize their outstanding response assisting other electric companies in power restoration efforts after service has been disrupted by severe weather conditions or other natural events. The winners are chosen by a panel of judges following an international nomination process. Alabama Power received the award during EEI’s Annual Convention in San Diego.

On October 31, 2017, a severe windstorm produced hurricane-force winds, which impacted Massachusetts. The storm caused 330,610 customers to experience service outages. More than 220 Alabama Power lineworkers travelled 2,600 miles to restore power over the course of six days. 

“Mutual assistance is a hallmark of the electric power industry. When a disaster impacts a region, neighboring electric companies quickly respond to assist,” said EEI President Tom Kuhn. “The work of Alabama Power’s crews to restore power to customers impacted by the October windstorm is a terrific example of mutual assistance in action and our industry’s commitment to serving our customers.”

EEI is the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. Our members provide electricity for 220 million Americans, and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As a whole, the electric power industry supports more than 7 million jobs in communities across the United States. In addition to our U.S. members, EEI has more than 60 international electric companies as International Members, and hundreds of industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate Members.