Hydro-Québec receives EEI’S “Emergency Assistance Award” following hurricane Irene and snowstorm

The Edison Electric Institute today awarded Hydro-Quebec with the association’s “Emergency Assistance Award” for its outstanding efforts in restoring electricity following Hurricane Irene.

The award is presented annually to U.S. and foreign-based member companies to recognize an outstanding response in restoring electric service to a neighboring or nearby utility company that has been disrupted by severe weather conditions or other natural events. Winners were chosen by a panel of judges following an international nomination process, and the awards were presented during EEI’s Spring CEO meeting.

After receiving calls from American utilities requesting additional crews to prepare for Hurricane Irene, Hydro-Quebec dispatched 54 crews on August 28, 2011 to Northeast Utilities service territory to help with restoration efforts. Due to the size of Hurricane Irene, Hydro-Quebec service territory was also affected by the storm. The Hydro-Quebec workers adapted to the changing situation and showed great flexibility in restoring power both in Quebec and in the United States. Additional crews were deployed to utilities in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut in order to help restore electricity service. Hydro-Quebec workers encountered washed-out roads, fallen trees and downed power lines, making outage locations difficult to access.

On Saturday, October 29, 2011, a rare October snowstorm blasted New England and dumped up to 30 inches of snow in some areas and left 3,000,000 homes and businesses without power throughout New England. Hydro-Quebec was asked by Northeast Utilities to send as many crews as possible to help restore electricity service. On October 30, 46 line crews--along with support and administration personnel--headed for the areas hardest hit by the mid-Autumn snowstorm.

“Hydro-Quebec showed fierce determination and unwavering support in times of great need,” EEI President Tom Kuhn said. ”Even though Hurricane Irene disrupted their own service territory, they sent line workers and other crews out as soon as they had completed the necessary tasks to restore power to their own customers. Hydro-Quebec’s assistance efforts truly embody what our industry’s mutual aid program stands for.”

The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) is the association of U.S. shareholder-owned electric companies. Our members serve 95 percent of the ultimate customers in the shareholder-owned segment of the industry, and represent approximately 70 percent of the U.S. electric power industry. We also have more than 65 International electric companies as Affiliate members, and more than 170 industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate members.