Press Release

PUC Offers Tips for Residents During Power Outages

Published on 9/17/2008

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – With severe storms affecting Western Pennsylvania, the state Public Utility Commission (PUC) is reporting about 54,943 customers are without electricity at this time and providing tips for those residents who have lost electrical power.

As of 10 a.m. today, about 54,943 Pennsylvania electric customers are without electricity. The utilities are reporting that more than 2,500 events that are causing those outages. The impact of one event can cause outages to one customer or thousands.

When the outages first occurred, more than 300,000 customers were without power. Pennsylvania has about 5 million electric customers. The numbers only represent PUC jurisdictional utilities.  The non-PUC jurisdictional Rural Electric Cooperatives also have about 6,400 customers without power.

         The outages are focused in Western Pennsylvania and occurred after record-high winds swept through the area Sunday. Priority restoration is given to locations that can restore larger numbers of customers and high-priority customers such as nursing homes, emergency shelters, emergency governmental services and hospitals.

         The PUC offers the following tips for residents during a power outage:

When the lights go out

• Call your utility. Don't expect that others in your neighborhood have already called. Due to the severity of some of the damage, some areas may be without power until the weekend. Your utility can provide you with the most up-to-date information on when to expect power to be restored.
  • FirstEnergy Co. (Penn Power/Penelec) – 1-888-544-4877 for outages; 1-800-545-7738 for other information.
  • Duquesne Light – 1-888-393-7000 for outages.
  • West Penn Power (Allegheny Power) – 1-800-255-3443 for outages.
• Check on elderly neighbors and those with special needs who might need additional assistance.
• Use a phone that does not require electricity to work. A cellular phone or corded phone will work. Remember a cordless phone won’t work without electricity.
• Turn off lights and electrical appliances except for the refrigerator and freezer. When power comes back on, it may come back with momentary "surges" or "spikes" that can damage equipment. After you turn the lights off, turn one lamp on so you will know when power is restored. Wait at least 15 minutes after power is restored before turning on other appliances.
• Only use a flashlight or battery-operated lanterns for emergency lighting. Do not use candles.
• Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer.  Food can stay cold for a couple of hours if the doors remain closed. For longer outages, plan to place refrigerator and freezer items in coolers with ice. If in doubt, throw it out. The state Department of Agriculture has more information on food safety at http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agriculture/cwp/view.asp?A=390&Q=150153.
• If you are going to use a generator, do not run it inside a home or garage. If you use a generator, connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not connect a generator to a home's electrical system.

      Driving during a power outage

• Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic signals will stop working during an outage, creating traffic congestion. If traffic lights are out, treat all intersections as four-way stops. It’s required by law for safety.
• Stay away from downed power lines and sagging trees with broken limbs.

      Downed power lines

• Don’t touch or get near any fallen lines.
• Stay away from objects or puddles in contact with downed power lines.
• Notify the utility company.
• Never try to remove trees or limbs from power lines.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our Web site at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722