WASHINGTON, March 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Edison Electric Institute today honored Georgia Power as a winner of the association's "Emergency Recovery Award" for its restoration efforts after 30 tornados ravaged the company's service territory in the Spring of 2008, and as a winner of the "Emergency Assistance Award" for its effort in assisting fellow utility companies in restoring electric service after severe weather events across six states during the year.
A particularly stormy year saw nearly one million Georgia Power customers affected by power outages. The high winds and lightning associated with the tornadoes caused damage to Georgia Power's entire electricity infrastructure, necessitating the replacement of 1,292 distribution poles and the repair of 70 transmission towers all told.
Meanwhile, 2008 saw a number of tropical storms and hurricanes that caused devastation to areas all over the U.S., and Georgia Power assisted seven fellow utility companies across six states in the wake of the storms. The company mobilized nearly 3,000 company employees and contractor employees - working a total of 26 days and expending nearly 370,000 worker hours - to aid in the effort to get customers back on line safely and quickly.
"Georgia Power's successful efforts in restoring power in the wake of massive damage from tornadoes again proved an effective model to follow for the entire electric utility industry," said EEI President Thomas R. Kuhn. "The company also was a leader in its mutual assistance efforts. The company provides a truly stellar example of the dedication of utility workers to getting the lights back on."
"Our employees have proven time after time that they are ready to respond, no matter what the emergency," said Georgia Power President and CEO Mike Garrett. "When a storm hits, our customers know they can count on Georgia Power to get the lights back on as quickly and safely as possible. I'm proud that we can assist utilities in other states, as well."
The "Emergency Recovery Award" and "Emergency Assistance Award" are presented annually to U.S. and international member companies to recognize outstanding efforts in restoring electric service that has been disrupted by severe weather conditions or natural events. The Recovery Award recognizes exceptional efforts in restoring electric service by a company in its service territory; the Assistance Award recognizes companies that have excelled in helping utilities in other service territories restore power after similar storms and other natural events. Winners of both awards were chosen by a panel of judges following an international nomination process, and awards were presented today during EEI's Spring CEO meetings.
Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation's largest generators of electricity. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility with rates well below the national average. Georgia Power serves 2.3 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties.
Edison Electric Institute (EEI) is the association of United States investor-owned electric utilities and industry affiliates and associates worldwide. Its domestic members generate approximately three-quarters of all the electricity generated by electric utilities in the country and serve about 70 percent of all ultimate customers in the nation.
