Hydro Ottawa crews to help U.S. utilities affected by Hurricane Sandy

OTTAWA, Oct. 31, 2012 /CNW/ - A group of 13 Hydro Ottawa power line maintainers are leaving today for Newton, Connecticut to assist Northeast Utilities in restoring power for approximately 500,000 residents after Hurricane Sandy caused significant damage to the area. The crews will be departing from Hydro Ottawa's Merivale Road office at 9 a.m.

"Hydro Ottawa offered assistance without hesitation. Restoring power is a specialized skill and the electricity industry supports each other in these times of need," said Bryce Conrad, Hydro Ottawa's President and Chief Executive Officer.

Ottawa escaped the storm relatively unscathed. At its peak the storm knocked out power to approximately 3,000 Hydro Ottawa customers in the Casselman, Blackburn Hamlet, Crystal Beach and Merivale areas. Crews worked to successfully restore power across the city and our now able to support other communities in need of help.

"When power outages occur, Hydro Ottawa employees go above and beyond to ensure public safety and to get the power back on as soon as possible," added Conrad. "I am proud that these crews will be using these talents to help our U.S. neighbours."

This is the first time Hydro Ottawa has dispatched crews to the United States. During past widespread power outages, crews have assisted utilities in Ontario and Quebec.  The 13 power line maintainers join 12 Hydro Ottawa contract forestry workers who are clearing trees in Connecticut to restore the power.

About Hydro Ottawa
Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. (Hydro Ottawa) owns and operates two subsidiary companies, Hydro Ottawa Limited and Energy Ottawa Inc. Hydro Ottawa Limited is the third-largest municipally-owned electrical utility in Ontario, serving more than 305,000 customers in the City of Ottawa and the Village of Casselman. Energy Ottawa Inc., Ottawa's largest producer of green power, generates renewable energy and provides commercial energy-management services.

SOURCE: Hydro Ottawa Holding

Claudia Lemieux
Manager, Public Affairs
Hydro Ottawa
Tel: [phone] ext. 7684
[email protected]