The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) has assembled public power crews from across the state to aid with power restoration efforts after the winter storm impacted the region this past weekend.
More than 50 public power personnel from three Florida Public Power utilities deployed this week to pre-stage in Virginia and North Carolina in advance of the severe weather. JEA sent four crews and equipment to Danville, Virginia, to assist fellow public power utility Danville Utilities. The City of Tallahassee deployed two public power crews and equipment to Dobson, North Carolina, to provide aid to Surry-Yadkin Electric Membership Cooperative. Orlando Utilities Commission provided mutual aid in North Carolina where they are sending two crews and equipment to assist the City of High Point Electric Utilities Department.
Additional Florida public power utilities are standing by should other utilities need assistance.
“While Florida’s public power lineworkers are very familiar with working in conditions that result from hurricanes and tropical storms, they are also prepared to face the challenges that snow and ice storms present,” said Amy Zubaly, the executive director of FMEA. “No matter the weather nor the conditions, Florida’s public power utilities are always ready and willing to assist other communities in need.”
Mutual aid agreements enable electric utilities to call on each other for skilled emergency workers and supplies. Mutual aid can extend beyond fellow public power utilities to both rural electric cooperatives and investor-owned utilities.
Public power utilities across the country benefit from the strong network of mutual assistance partners through the American Public Power Association. These connections have created a reliable system where member utilities both request and offer assistance when in need. FMEA is proud to serve as the mutual aid coordinator for Florida’s 33 public power utilities.
The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) represents the unified interests of 33 public power communities across the state, which provide electricity to more than 3 million of Florida’s residential and business consumers.
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