We have even spoken with state officials regarding our problems. We have filed complaints with our power supplier CLECO Cajun.
They provide this service to most of the utilities affected by Hurricane Laura. We are not alone in our problems in receiving transmission service. We still feel we are entitled to ask for these lines to receive priority treatment given the number of families and businesses affected, but we have absolutely no control of how they choose to prioritize their restoration efforts with regard to these lines they own. We understand that maintaining and repairing these transmission lines is a monumental task. We recognize Entergy was stricken with the same catastrophic weather event the entire state endured. Without transmission service into a substation, there is no electricity to distribute to our members.Įntergy controls much of the transmission line in Louisiana, including the transmission lines that deliver power to our substations currently without service. These substations represent more than 8,000 of the meters still without power. That is, we currently have no transmission service into 5 of our distribution substations. We are faced with another problem in our restoration efforts, one in which we have absolutely no control.
That’s down from more than 23,000 initially. As I write this note to you, we have fewer than 10,000 meters without power. We are making significant progress in bringing lights back to our members. In others, poles and crossarms have been broken and must be replaced. In places it is mostly downed trees with power lines pinned under them.
#HURRICANE LAURA AFTERMATH FULL#
In addition to our own personnel, we now have 20 full line construction crews on the job and another 3 right-of-way crews complete with bucket trucks working in this effort.Įven with the extra help, the going is slow. Once the storm was upon us, we made the decision to bring in even more crews to assist. We even brought in additional right-of-way crews to help us deal with clearing fallen trees and limbs. We also brought in 4 damage assessment crews to assist. We knew the storm was coming and staged 12 full construction line crews here at the cooperative in advance of the storm. At no time in our past have we experienced a storm that so completely covered our territory that, at one point in time, we had more than 98% of our meters without power. At no time have we ever suffered Category 1 hurricane force winds for four hours within our cooperative’s territory. I’d like to share two.ĭespite the fact that even before the storm hit, we brought in more assistance to help us in our restoration efforts, this storm is like no other we have experienced in the history of our cooperative. In our current situation, we are unable to predict with any degree of accuracy exactly when most of our members will see their service restored. Let me take a moment of your time, not to make excuses but, to explain our dilemma. Some believe there are no clear answers to questions related to restoration, adding to the frustration. Members are uncomfortable and greatly inconvenienced by the lack of electric service. I also understand the complaints that have come in about being without electricity. I am astounded by our members, and I want you to know we appreciate you. A message from the Manager, in the aftermath of Hurricane Lauraįirst and foremost, I would like to thank you for the overwhelming support we have been shown in the last three days in the wake of Hurricane Laura.
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