Contact:
Mara Hartmann
601-969-2520 (office)
601-594-9042 (cell)
mhartma@entergy.com
Workers head to Kentucky where storms knocked out power to some 250,000
Jackson, Miss. – Less than 48 hours after Entergy Mississippi crews returned from Arkansas where they worked to restore power knocked out by an ice storm, workers are leaving again to help out those hit by wind storms in the Midwest. At least eight people were killed by the storms that moved through the area Tuesday night.
A crew of 64 linemen, tool workers and support personnel left today for central Kentucky at the request of American Electric Power company, one of the largest electric utilities in the country. They will be joined by 42 linemen and other support personnel from Entergy Arkansas. AEP reports that some 250,000 customers are without electricity.
“The request for assistance came from AEP last night and our guys packed their bags and readied to get on the road again,” said Rick Riley, director of distribution operations for Entergy Mississippi, Inc. “They did a fantastic job of preparing with such short notice.”
Entergy’s utility companies participate in mutual assistance agreements with utility companies across the country as well as within the Entergy family. When Entergy companies need help after storms, restoration workers are sent to help safely restore power to customers. The Mississippi crews heading to Kentucky were drawn from work groups across the state, leaving enough personnel in Mississippi to manage routine day-to-day work.
“We will be there for their customers in their hour of need, because we know they would do the same for us,” Riley said. “That’s the benefit of a mutual assistance agreement. We can help each other.
“Our employees take great pride in getting the lights safely back on as quickly as possible for our customers and others in need.”
Entergy Mississippi sent more than 160 workers to Arkansas after an ice storm hit the state. The storm damaged more than 5,000 utility poles and 700 distribution transformers. The Mississippi restoration crew spent 15 days restoring power. They were part of more than 5,000 workers who traveled to Arkansas from as far away as Florida. Employees from Entergy’s sister companies in Louisiana and Texas helped as well.
Entergy Mississippi, Inc. provides electricity to more than 433,000 customers in 45 counties. It is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation. Entergy Corporation 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. Entergy has annual revenues of more than $13 billion and approximately 14,300 employees.
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Entergy Mississippi’s online address is www.entergy-mississippi.com.