From the Midwest to the south, many states are experiencing massive power outages due to the major winter storm that blew through the U.S. the past few days. DTE Energy is answering the call to help with restoration efforts.
About 60 DTE linemen and support staff — including logistical support, supervisors and managers — left for Ashland, Kentucky Wednesday (Feb. 17) morning. A third of customers in eastern Kentucky are without electricity after being hit with multiple rounds of severe weather.
When big storms hit anywhere in the United States, energy providers can call on their fellow utilities to send crews to help restore power through what is called mutual aid.
“We’ve received help through mutual aid in the past, and because our local system is performing well, we’re able to offer our teams to other utilities in need,” Sidney Kinnard, manager, Distribution Operations, said.
In addition to the crews headed to Kentucky, DTE also released about 150 contractors to help with restoration in Virginia and West Virginia.
