Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) and its subsidiaries Central Maine Power (CMP), United Illuminating (UI) and New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) are preparing for impacts from Hurricane Lee which is expected to impact portions of the northeast Friday and into the weekend. As storm impacts develop, Avangrid is preparing to activate its multi-state network of resources to its hardest hit service areas to bolster response efforts.
“Emergency response is one of the most important ways we support our customers and communities,” said Pedro Azagra, Avangrid CEO. “With operations across multiple states, our Emergency Management department facilitates collaboration among our various teams. Having a multi-state network of resources is a big advantage for us during storm response because it offers flexibility so we can quickly adjust to our situation. Our teams will be ready to move to New York, Maine or Connecticut in the coming days to support response efforts.”
Every Avangrid subsidiary has unique Emergency Response Plans that detail priorities and the actions the company will take to address critical situations in its service areas. This week, Avangrid storm teams have been analyzing latest forecasts, prestaging additional line and tree resources and activating company personnel for their storm roles.
In Maine, CMP has brought in extra power restoration crews to provide additional coverage and will stage teams regionally as the weather forecast dictates starting Friday. CMP anticipates heavy impacts from damaged trees due to the wet summer which has resulted in tree stress due to increased soil saturation, flooding and nutrient runoff.
In New York, NYSEG has pre-staged nearly 100 additional line crews to be housed between its Mechanicville and Brewster divisions beginning this Friday. The company also plans to mobilize two mobile command centers to affected areas so that leadership is on the ground during restoration efforts. If minimal impacts occur, NYSEG will send excess crews to its sister companies to support their efforts.
In Connecticut, UI held its Winter Reliability Meeting on Wednesday, September 13 ahead of the storm season and discussed Hurricane Lee preparations with local municipal officials, which includes onboarding additional crews and activating staff for their storm roles. The company is preparing for potential rain and tropical storm-force winds. If minimal impacts occur, UI will direct crews to support its sister companies’ restoration efforts.
