GAHANNA, Ohio (Sept. 18, 2008) – No doubt, Sunday’s strong winds dropping tree limbs and entire trees into power lines is a primary culprit for the massive power outages being experienced by AEP Ohio customers. According to company officials, the numerous fallen trees and broken tree limbs that resulted from the high winds continue to have a major impact on efforts to restore services throughout the state.
Tree crews work closely with line repair crews to clear storm debris so that restoration efforts can proceed. The need to remove large trees delays restoration work. Crews cut limbs only to the extent required to install lines.
Customers need to know that AEP Ohio or its contractors do not remove storm debris and will move the debris only if it is necessary to facilitate the restoration effort. Crews stopping to remove debris would significantly increase the amount of time required to restore service to all customers.
“Our first priority is to safely restore service,” said Joseph Hamrock, AEP Ohio’s president and chief operating officer. “Following a storm, our contractors must remove fallen trees and limbs from electrical equipment that are preventing service restoration. This forestry work is a major component of the restoration effort. But customers are responsible for the eventual removal of the debris.”
Hamrock emphasized that members of the public should not attempt to remove tree limbs or debris if it is near a power line. “And they should stay completely away from any downed power line or damaged equipment. Customers that see downed lines or sparking equipment should call us immediately to report the problem.”
In some cases, local municipalities may provide removal services. Customers are urged to contact their local community to determine if that service is available in their locality. Otherwise, customers will need to arrange for debris removal.
Safety Messages
All downed power lines should be considered energized and hazardous. Customers should stay away and warn others to stay away generator and report the situation to AEP Ohio for prompt attention. Please visit aepohio.com for additional important safety information.
Status of Restoration Efforts
Please see our list of affected areas and projected restoration times (PDF) on aepohio.com. These restoration times are estimates and subject to change. Please keep in mind that actual restoration time for a specific address may vary significantly from the times provided.
AEP Ohio provides electricity to nearly 1.5 million customers of major AEP subsidiaries Columbus Southern Power Company and Ohio Power Company in Ohio, and Wheeling Power Company in the northern panhandle of West Virginia. AEP Ohio is based in Gahanna, Ohio. The company serves all or part of 61 counties in Ohio and two in West Virginia.
American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765 kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP’s transmission system directly or indirectly serves about 10 percent of the electricity demand in the Eastern Interconnection, the interconnected transmission system that covers 38 eastern and central U.S. states and eastern Canada, and approximately 11 percent of the electricity demand in ERCOT, the transmission system that covers much of Texas. AEP’s utility units operate as 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 and east Texas). AEP’s headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio.