Indiana Michigan Power Company
09/26/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/26/2024 11:55
I&M Crews Heading South for Hurricane Helene Restoration Efforts
Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) crews are heading south ahead of Hurricane Helene to be in position to assist in anticipated power restoration efforts. I&M is sending 180 employees and contractors along with nearly 40 vehicles from across our service area to assist Georgia Power.
Line workers, fleet technicians and safety support staff will work in Georgia to restore a sense of normalcy and comfort in the wake of the hurricane. Crews will work 16-hour days performing duties such as repairing and replacing damaged power poles and power lines. Among those heading south is I&M's Manager of Distribution System for our Michigan districts, Donny Williams.
"We know firsthand how much mutual assistance is appreciated when we have storms that impact our customers. That's why we are proud to safely return the support when other communities and power companies need it the most," Williams said. "While it's hard for us to leave home, we know helping turn the lights back on for impacted neighborhoods along with the messages of gratitude and support we receive makes it worth the effort."
I&M and our parent company, AEP, are part of a nationwide group of power companies that help each other when significant power outages occur. I&M crews helped with Hurricane Beryl restoration efforts in Texas. Crews from Kentucky, Ohio and other states helped I&M restore service after this summer's damaging storms.
Though there is no timetable for our crews' return, I&M remains ready to respond if outages occur here at home. You can follow I&M's role in the restoration efforts on our social media pages.
# # #
Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, and its approximately 2,000 employees serve more than 600,000 customers. More than 85% of its energy delivered in 2023 was emission-free. I&M has at its availability various sources of generation including 2,278 MW of nuclear generation in Michigan, 450 MW of purchased wind generation from Indiana, more than 22 MW of hydro generation in both states and approximately 35 MW of large-scale solar generation in both states. The company's generation portfolio also includes 1,497 MW of coal-fueled generation.
At American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, we understand that our customers and communities depend on safe, reliable and affordable power. Our nearly 17,000 employees operate and maintain more than 40,000 miles of transmission lines, the nation's largest electric transmission system, and more than 225,000 miles of distribution lines to deliver power to 5.6 million customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation's largest electricity producers with nearly 29,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including approximately 6,100 megawatts of renewable energy. AEP is investing $43 billion over the next five years to make the electric grid cleaner and more reliable. We are on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and have a goal to achieve net zero by 2045. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement and inclusion. AEP's family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Schneè Doyle
Communications Consultant Sr.
574-218-5987