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Entergy Texas Crews Head East to Restore Power Knocked Out by Hurricane Irene


WEBWIRE

Beaumont, Texas – Hurricane Irene has left millions without power on the East Coast and now Entergy Texas, Inc. will be part of an Entergy Corp. effort that’s sending storm-seasoned crews of workers to help in the massive restoration effort.

A total of 78 Texas personnel including contract and company lineman, plus support staff, will assist in restoring power in the area near Atlantic City, N.J. Crews sent today by Entergy Texas included 38 line workers and support personnel. They will join another 40 contract workers and support personnel sent to Florida last week when it appeared Hurricane Irene was heading for the Sunshine State. Those workers were redirected after the storm turned toward the East Coast.

Workers from Texas are part of a nearly 600-personnel contingent from Entergy’’s four-state service area. Crews include tool workers, and personnel for a number of support functions such as safety and vegetation. They will be assisting Pepco Holdings, Inc. “We consider it a privilege and honor to use our storm restoration experience to help restore power to the East Coast after the damage caused by Irene,” said Shawn Corkran, director, Entergy Texas transmission and distribution. “In recent years, as our own service territory has been buffeted by some of the worst storms in this country’s history, we have received assistance from hundreds of other utility companies. Now it’s our turn to help them.”

Corkran added that this trip is one of the farthest Texas crews have made in recent times. Entergy’s utility companies participate in mutual assistance agreements with utility companies across the country as well as within the Entergy family. In fact, Pepco Holdings, Inc. sent utility workers to help Entergy restore service following hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

When Entergy companies need assistance after storms, restoration workers are sent to help safely restore power to customers. The Texas crews heading to the East Coast area were drawn from work groups across the state, leaving enough personnel in Texas to manage routine day-to-day work.

Corkran reminded workers to stay safe and noted that it is “better to give than to receive” when it comes to hurricane restoration. He also asked for customer patience and understanding should restoration work need to take place in Southeast Texas. It may take longer than usual because fewer workers are in place. Entergy’s record of restoring power after major storms has earned the company the Edison Electric Institute’s Emergency Response Award 13 years in a row, every year since the award was first instituted in 1998.

Entergy Texas, Inc. provides electricity to more than 400,000 customers in 27 counties. It is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation. Entergy is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, and it is the second-largest nuclear generator in the United States. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.7 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.



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