Contact: Inia Burginger, 703-392-1540, vburginger@novec.com
NORTHERN VIRGINIA – “Line work and tree removal are hazardous jobs on a bright sunny day in June. Add an historic snowfall, cold temperatures, biting wind, and fatigue to the mix and the work becomes more daunting than most can even begin to imagine,” says NOVEC President and CEO Stan Feuerberg.
“I am constantly amazed at the progress our crews are making despite extremely challenging conditions throughout the NOVEC service area,” he continued. “Since the first snowfall ended late on Saturday, our crews have restored service to more than 45,000 customers. We begin Wednesday with fewer than 300 customers remaining without power.
“We fully understand the frustration of our customers, but we will be on the job until it is done and we are keeping those who have been without power the longest our top priority, ” Feuerberg continues.
The dangerous jobs in the field increasingly require as much brain as brawn, according to System Construction Manager Skip Hollcroft. “There’s no question that it is a physically demanding job, but the equipment we now deploy in the field requires our line technicians to understand a sophisticated technology we didn’t have just a few years ago. We have Toughbook computers in the field that greatly improve day-to-day productivity, as well as our emergency response,” says Hollcroft.
With snow accumulation expected throughout the day and winds gusting into the night, NOVEC is prepared to respond to additional power outages, if and when they occur.
“We have deployed our workforce for a 24-hour operation since the storm began and that will continue until every NOVEC customer is back in service,” says NOVEC Operations Center Manager Larry Shaffer. “We are well staffed with service restoration professionals in our Operations Center. The men and women in the Center are efficiently managing the largest system damage since Hurricane Isabel in 2003. Adrenaline keeps us going and we take great pride in getting service restored for our customers. We understand their frustrations and are grateful for those who have taken time to express by email and phone their appreciation for the job we do,” says Shaffer.
Customers can get an idea of the challenges repair crews face by viewing the photos at http://www.novec.com/Customer_Services/Outage_Information/Storm-Photos.cfm.
NOVEC recommends that customers have contingency plans in case of extended outages, including alternative sleeping accommodations if necessary. In addition, all Northern Virginians should have fresh batteries for flashlights and radios, plenty of food and water, necessary medicines, pet food, baby supplies, blankets, and firewood for wood-burning fireplaces. NOVEC reminds customers to only use electric generators that have been installed outside by licensed electricians for the safety of homeowners and NOVEC line technicians.
Customers are also reminded to stay away from downed power lines. Report them immediately by calling 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500. People who are clearing snow from roofs and driveways should also check for downed lines before working.
Customers can visit www.novec.com and click on “Outage Map” to get an estimate for when power will be restored in their neighborhoods. They can click on “Report an Outage” on the Web site or call 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500 to inform NOVEC they are without power.
