Delmarva Power is sending crews, equipment and expertise to help restore power to Puerto Rico, following massive damage from Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Delmarva Power joins with its Exelon sister utilities – Atlantic City Electric, BGE, ComEd, PECO and Pepco – in the effort.
A recent report indicated that only 55 percent of homes and businesses on the island have power after the September storms devastated the island.
Delmarva Power employees will leave for Puerto Rico in early February. Trucks and other equipment are being sent ahead. Delmarva Power and the other Pepco Holdings’ utilities, which includes Atlantic City Electric in southern New Jersey and Pepco in Maryland and the District of Columbia, will send 25 linemen and support personnel and more than a dozen trucks and other equipment. Crews are expected to be in Puerto Rico for at least 30 days.
“We are incredibly proud of our dedicated employees who are volunteering to assist in this vital effort,” said Gary Stockbridge, Delmarva Power region president. “Our employees have an ingrained sense of service and are eager to work with crews from across Exelon and across the country to help the residents of Puerto Rico.”
Delmarva Power’s support comes after a request from the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA).
Edison Electrical Institute (EEI) and other power industry groups received the request in early November and immediately began coordinating with PREPA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on adding crews, equipment and materials to the power restoration effort.
Exelon utilities have been coordinating closely with EEI and authorities to prepare for the mutual assistance effort. Delmarva Power and its Exelon sister utilities are sending more than 140 personnel as part of a contingent of about 1,500 restoration personnel from EEI member companies.
This fall, Delmarva Power joined its Exelon sister utilities at Unidos por Puerto Rico to prepare care packages for those affected by the hurricane.
Since September’s hurricanes, Exelon and its employees, along with the Exelon Foundation, have contributed more than $800,000 to disaster relief efforts, including aid to Puerto Rico.
Delmarva Power has sent hundreds of crews and support personnel to assist utilities, in the region and across the country, as part of mutual assistance networks.
Delmarva provided restoration assistance to areas of Florida and Georgia that were also affected by Hurricane Irma in September.
Just as Delmarva Power provides support, crews from across the U.S. have helped with restoration efforts in this region following severe storms.
