Gulfport, Miss. – Edison Electric Institute (EEI) honored Mississippi Power today with the association’s 2012 Emergency Assistance Award for its “tremendous support” in restoring power after June windstorms and Hurricane Sandy in October.

The Emergency Assistance Award has been presented each year to EEI member electric utility companies since 1998. It recognizes extraordinary efforts undertaken in restoring power to another utility company’s customers whose electric service was disrupted by severe weather conditions or other natural events.

“This is a worthy recognition for Mississippi Power and those employees who were away from their families and homes to help others amidst some harsh conditions,” said Mississippi Power President and CEO Ed Day. “At the same time, our employees who stayed here taking care of our customers played a major role in making this a truly successful effort for everyone involved.”

From June 30 to July 10, a crew of 51 employees assisted Baltimore Gas & Electric (Exelon) following a severe windstorm. In late October, 81 employees went for two weeks to assist PECO in Pennsylvania and PSE&G in New Jersey with restoration efforts following Hurricane Sandy.

“Following hurricanes Katrina and Isaac, thousands of our electric utility brothers came to assist us,” continued Day. “Our contribution to the restoration efforts this year is our way of continuing to pay it forward. Our employees are the very best when it comes to getting the lights back on.”

Mississippi Power crews participated in ten storm restoration efforts in 2012 totaling more than 42,000 hours of assistance.

“Mississippi Power’s restoration assistance following the June windstorms and then Hurricane Sandy was truly remarkable,” said EEI President Tom Kuhn. “The company’s crews were essential in helping their fellow utilities restore service. Their assistance also shows their compassion in helping others in their time of need.”

Mississippi Power, a Southern Company subsidiary, serves approximately 186,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties with rates below the national average.

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