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Entergy Mississippi’s Storm School Teaches How Company Prepares for Hurricane Season


WEBWIRE

Company officials educate public through media about restoration process

Jackson, Miss. – Entergy Mississippi, Inc. is ready for the hurricane season.

Today, the company held a “storm school” to discuss its preparations and what it takes to restore power after a major hurricane.

“Preparing for hurricane season is an ongoing process for Entergy,” said Rick Riley, director of operations for Entergy Mississippi, Inc. “Our employees know that being storm-ready is key to a safe and quick response for our customers.”

During the event at Entergy’s Knowledge and Skills Training Center in Clinton, Miss., Entergy Mississippi representatives reviewed the company’s emergency response plans and educated media about the process for restoring power through hands-on demonstrations.

“Replacing a single damaged pole, cross arm or transmission line is difficult, dangerous, and time-consuming,” said Riley. “When you multiply that by 10,000 poles, cross arms or transmission line segments all at once, you begin to understand how challenging it is to accomplish restoration safely and within a reasonable time for our customers.

“Entergy proves every year why it is the best in the business at restoring power after a major weather event.”

Entergy is the only utility in the nation to win the top awards from the Edison Electric Institute for emergency response or emergency assistance 11 years in a row.

Nine hurricanes in the last seven years have struck portions of Entergy’s service area. Back-to-back hurricanes devastated Entergy territory in 2005 (Hurricanes Katrina and Rita) and 2008 (Hurricanes Gustav and Ike). Both Katrina and Gustav heavily impacted Entergy Mississippi customers.

Entergy is taking action for the 2009 hurricane season by protecting the system from a potential hurricane. The company:

o Performed detailed hurricane and tabletop drills to test all functions of the company’s emergency-response teams;
o Will perform tree trimming on 2,299 line miles regionally to reduce storm-induced power outages and to protect vital equipment;
o Will continue to use infrared technology to evaluate priority customer facilities such as hospitals and police stations;
o Inspected 65 feeders including nearly 400 capacitor banks and 66 reclosers;
o Educated 433,000 customers throughout Mississippi with bill inserts about hurricane preparedness, and
o Renewed and strengthened mutual assistance agreements, contractor alliances and partnerships with key governmental agencies.

“We prepare for the worst but hope for the best,” said Entergy Mississippi “Storm Boss” Robbin Jeter, manager of distribution. “Responding to a hurricane, tornadoes or an ice storm is critical to our customers, and we work very hard to be the best.”



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