BALTIMORE, Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) today announced that it has pre-mobilized in anticipation of possible heavy rain and strong wind associated with Hurricane Charley, which is expected to reach Maryland early this evening.
"We continue to monitor Hurricane Charley and are prepared to respond in its aftermath," said Stephen J. Woerner, manager of electric system operations and planning. "With the exact path of the storm and its impact on BGE's Central Maryland service territory still unclear, we continue to prepare for the possibility of widespread and extended power outages."
More than 750 BGE employees and contractors are on stand-by to perform storm- restoration activities should Charley cause substantial damage to its Central Maryland service territory. Once the storm has cleared the area and it is safe to do so, BGE will begin assessing damage and commence restoration with the following priorities in mind:
* Immediate public safety threats * Critical infrastructure (hospital, 911 centers, police) * Repairs that will restore the greatest number of customers * Customers who have been out the longest
BGE asks customers to report all outages by calling 1-877-778-2222. Knowing about each outage assists BGE to determine where the damage is on its system. Also, BGE urges customers to avoid downed wires and trees. Customers should immediately report downed wires to BGE at the number at above and warn others to stay away.
BGE advises its customers to consider making the following preparations in advance of Charley:
* Keep emergency telephone numbers in a convenient location along with the following items: portable radio with fresh batteries, flashlights, bottled water, manual can opener, matches, battery-operated or wind-up clock, canned and dried food, first aid kit, fuses, and Sterno. * Take steps to keep perishable food and medicine cold, including keeping freezers and refrigerators closed as much as possible. As a reminder, BGE is no longer distributing dry ice in order to better support restoration efforts. * If dependent upon electric-powered medical equipment, customers are encouraged to make alternate arrangements in the event service is interrupted. * Disconnect sensitive electronic equipment such as computers and televisions to avoid surge damage. (Surges can occur at other times, so you may want to consider purchasing surge protectors for sensitive equipment.) * Secure or move inside items that may become projectiles during high winds. * If on well water, fill bathtub with cold water. * When using a generator, make sure it is properly vented. * Stay at home or seek shelter if a storm is approaching. If outside, stay away from trees and metal objects.
Additionally, BGE is providing its customers with the following flood safety tips:
* Proceed with care if experiencing flooding in a basement and or other areas of a home. * Do not enter a room with standing water, particularly if the water covers electrical outlets or electrical cords that are plugged into outlets. * Ensure the electrical system is shut off before entering a flooded room or basement. * Do not attempt to shut off an electrical system where there is standing water or a wet floor. * If experiencing flooding, do not turn on any lights or appliances without having a comprehensive inspection performed by a licensed electrician and also by a registered plumber with a gasfitter's license for gas appliances.
BGE is a member of Constellation Energy , a Fortune 500 integrated energy company based in Baltimore. Constellation Energy is the nation's leading competitive supplier of electricity to large commercial and industrial customers. It owns and operates a diversified fleet of 35 power plants in 12 states. Additionally, Constellation Energy markets energy nationally and manages the associated risks, providing value-added services for its customers. The company also delivers electricity and natural gas through the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), its regulated utility in Central Maryland. In 2003, the combined revenues of the integrated energy company totaled $9.7 billion.
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company
"We continue to monitor Hurricane Charley and are prepared to respond in its aftermath," said Stephen J. Woerner, manager of electric system operations and planning. "With the exact path of the storm and its impact on BGE's Central Maryland service territory still unclear, we continue to prepare for the possibility of widespread and extended power outages."
More than 750 BGE employees and contractors are on stand-by to perform storm- restoration activities should Charley cause substantial damage to its Central Maryland service territory. Once the storm has cleared the area and it is safe to do so, BGE will begin assessing damage and commence restoration with the following priorities in mind:
* Immediate public safety threats * Critical infrastructure (hospital, 911 centers, police) * Repairs that will restore the greatest number of customers * Customers who have been out the longest
BGE asks customers to report all outages by calling 1-877-778-2222. Knowing about each outage assists BGE to determine where the damage is on its system. Also, BGE urges customers to avoid downed wires and trees. Customers should immediately report downed wires to BGE at the number at above and warn others to stay away.
BGE advises its customers to consider making the following preparations in advance of Charley:
* Keep emergency telephone numbers in a convenient location along with the following items: portable radio with fresh batteries, flashlights, bottled water, manual can opener, matches, battery-operated or wind-up clock, canned and dried food, first aid kit, fuses, and Sterno. * Take steps to keep perishable food and medicine cold, including keeping freezers and refrigerators closed as much as possible. As a reminder, BGE is no longer distributing dry ice in order to better support restoration efforts. * If dependent upon electric-powered medical equipment, customers are encouraged to make alternate arrangements in the event service is interrupted. * Disconnect sensitive electronic equipment such as computers and televisions to avoid surge damage. (Surges can occur at other times, so you may want to consider purchasing surge protectors for sensitive equipment.) * Secure or move inside items that may become projectiles during high winds. * If on well water, fill bathtub with cold water. * When using a generator, make sure it is properly vented. * Stay at home or seek shelter if a storm is approaching. If outside, stay away from trees and metal objects.
Additionally, BGE is providing its customers with the following flood safety tips:
* Proceed with care if experiencing flooding in a basement and or other areas of a home. * Do not enter a room with standing water, particularly if the water covers electrical outlets or electrical cords that are plugged into outlets. * Ensure the electrical system is shut off before entering a flooded room or basement. * Do not attempt to shut off an electrical system where there is standing water or a wet floor. * If experiencing flooding, do not turn on any lights or appliances without having a comprehensive inspection performed by a licensed electrician and also by a registered plumber with a gasfitter's license for gas appliances.
BGE is a member of Constellation Energy , a Fortune 500 integrated energy company based in Baltimore. Constellation Energy is the nation's leading competitive supplier of electricity to large commercial and industrial customers. It owns and operates a diversified fleet of 35 power plants in 12 states. Additionally, Constellation Energy markets energy nationally and manages the associated risks, providing value-added services for its customers. The company also delivers electricity and natural gas through the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), its regulated utility in Central Maryland. In 2003, the combined revenues of the integrated energy company totaled $9.7 billion.
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company
© 2004 PR Newswire
