Line workers to help Dominion Energy restore power after major winter storm
Tampa Electric has sent about 130 people to North Carolina to restore power after severe winter weather.
About 40 Tampa Electric line workers, damage assessors and support personnel left at dawn today for the two-day drive to Roanoke Rapids, NC, to help Dominion Energy. They will help restore power as soon as it is safe to do so. Crews are prepared to stay for two weeks. Another 80 tree trimming contractors also left today to help Duke Energy.
The crews will be using appropriate pandemic protocols, such as one person in each truck, checking their temperature and properly disinfecting tools and other surfaces. Meals will be individually boxed, and crews will practice social distancing.
A major winter storm is forecast to affect the Midwest, South and eastern U.S., with high winds, heavy snowfall and ice. Dominion is expecting widespread power outages on Sunday.
Tampa Electric is a member of the Southeastern Electric Exchange, or SEE, which is a network of utilities who pledge mutual assistance in case of a storm or other emergency. Crews supporting the restoration efforts of other utilities are paid by the host utility.
Tampa Electric, one of Florida’s largest investor-owned electric utilities, serves about 800,000 customers in West Central Florida. Tampa Electric is a subsidiary of Emera Inc., a geographically diverse energy and services company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
