NOTE: This news release was published today by The Edison Electric Institute.

Contact: Leah Dow, 202-508-5489

WASHINGTON (March 21, 2012)—The Edison Electric Institute today recognized Alabama Power with the association’s “Emergency Assistance Award” for its outstanding efforts in restoring electricity following Hurricane Irene and a late-October snowstorm that swept across the Northeast. 

The award is presented annually to U.S. and foreign-based member companies to recognize an outstanding response in restoring electric service to a neighboring or nearby utility company that has been disrupted by severe weather conditions or other natural events.  Winners were chosen by a panel of judges following an international nomination process, and the awards were presented during EEI’s Spring CEO meeting.

In late August 2011, a massive hurricane was predicted to make landfall in North Carolina and then continue to wreak havoc as it inched up the East Coast.  Hurricane Irene dumped massive amounts of rain and packed heavy winds, bringing down trees and power lines and caused significant damage to Baltimore Gas & Electric’s electrical infrastructure.  BG&E requested restoration assistance after 750,000 customers were left without power during the peak of the storm.

In a request for mutual assistance through the Southeastern Electric Exchange, Alabama Power quickly sent 281 company employees and released 214 contractors to the Baltimore metropolitan area. Some of Alabama Power’s personnel traveled in excess of 1,000 miles to Baltimore to assist with all fronts of the restoration effort. Due to the extensive track of Irene, most east coast and northeast electric utilities were impacted, so securing resources from as far away as Alabama was necessary. Alabama Power crews worked 16 hour shifts during their nine days in Maryland without accident or injury.  Before this storm, Alabama Power crews had never traveled this far north to assist in a storm restoration.

On October 30th, 2011, an unprecedented snow storm hit states throughout New England, leaving more than three million customers without power.  As much as 16 inches of wet, heavy snow fell in some areas.  Due to the time of the year, many trees still had green leaves, weighing trees down and leading to broken poles and downed wires, which only intensified the power outages.  In a request for mutual assistance through the Southeastern Electric Exchange, Alabama Power sent 19% of its line workforce and a total of 255 Alabama Power employees. In addition to regular employees, Alabama Power released 54% of its resident contractors to assist utilities impacted by the snow storm. This was the farthest distance any Alabama Power crews had ever traveled in the continental U.S. to assist in a storm restoration effort.  Crews worked in grueling 16-hour shift intervals for nine days straight until restoration was complete. 

“Alabama Power Company’s assistance efforts helped significantly in restoring power to hundreds of thousands of customers throughout the Northeast,” EEI President Tom Kuhn said.  “Whether their crews are contributing to restoration efforts because of a massive hurricane or an unprecedented snowstorm, Alabama Power Company embodies the industry’s dedication to serving all customers – even those far from your service territory.” 

The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) is the association of U.S. shareholder-owned electric companies. Our members serve 95 percent of the ultimate customers in the shareholder-owned segment of the industry, and represent approximately 70 percent of the U.S. electric power industry. We also have more than 65 International electric companies as Affiliate members, and more than 170 industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate members.

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