PENSACOLA, Fla. - May 11, 2007 - Gulf Power Company is gearing up for the 2007 hurricane season, with lessons learned two years ago from Hurricane Katrina still fresh in the minds of the hundreds of company employees who went to Mississippi to help restore power in record time.

The electric utility has a comprehensive plan for any level of hurricane, and its line crews – among the most experienced and storm tested in the nation – have set records for restoring power following storms that have made landfall all over the Southeast.

"We never drop our guard on hurricane preparedness," John Hutchinson, Gulf Power's general manager of Public Affairs, said. "Making sure we're ready is a year-round effort for us, and residents and businesses can expect our employees to be ready whenever we're threatened by a storm."

The company follows a detailed plan to rebuild the electrical system following a hurricane's landfall, and works closely with the county Emergency Management personnel. Every Gulf Power employee has a storm assignment and the company brings in thousands of outside utility workers to help.

"We try to learn something from every storm," Hutchinson said. "And – fortunately or unfortunately – we probably have more experience than any other utility in the Southeast in working hurricanes."

Gulf Power was recognized nationally by the Edison Electric Institute for restoration efforts and for assistance to other utilities following Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne in 2004.

The company received the same honors in 2005 after Hurricane Dennis hit Northwest Florida. Following Hurricane Katrina, Gulf Power workers joined hundreds of other crews and completely restored power in 12 days after one of the most devastating storms in U.S. history.

As hurricane season approaches, Gulf Power employees review and test their contingencies, begin to stockpile critical materials, make contact with neighboring utilities to review assistance plans and check critical points in the power grid to make sure equipment is in top shape and trees are trimmed.

"It's important for residents to be prepared to go without power for a number of days," Hutchinson said. "We really appreciate the patience residents have shown in the past and if we have another hit in 2007, that patience will be needed again."