Dominion Energy awarded for restoration work
Dominion Energy received two awards from Edison Electric Institute (EEI) for its storm restoration work at the EEI annual convention held last week in San Diego.
The company received the 2018 Emergency Assistance Award for Puerto Rico Power Restoration for its emergency power restoration work in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria and the Emergency Recovery Award for its work following the March 1 Nor’easter wind storm this year.
“These awards go to the men and women at Dominion Energy who work tirelessly every day to keep energy flowing to homes and businesses,” Robert M. Blue, president and CEO of Power Delivery Group, said. “But the aftermath of damaging storms is when their skills and compassion for our customers are even more evident.”
Hurricane Maria made landfall as a Category 4 in Puerto Rico on Sept. 20, 2017. The storm left all residents of the island without power and damaged at least 80 percent of the energy grid.
Dominion Energy was one of many electric companies that provided mutual assistance to the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA).
It sent 80 lineworkers and 55 company vehicles to Puerto Rico, who restored power to approximately 2,000 residents, set 226 new poles and replaced more than 14 miles of wire.
“Helping in Puerto Rico was both a privilege and an honor,” Blue said. “We sent our crews and equipment to assist in a monumental and historic restoration effort. But foremost for us was providing relief, support, and comfort to the good people of Puerto Rico. Our crews went there to help and they came home humbled and grateful for the experience.”
The March 1 Nor’easter storm disrupted service to 690,000 customers in Virginia and caused severe damage in some areas. Crews replaced approximately 500 poles and 1,135 crossarms, many miles of downed wires and overhead conductors. Workers restored power to all customers in five days.
