Ontario’s Hydro One Sending 100 Highly Skilled Line Workers to Help Restore Power in Storm-Ravaged United States

“These workers embody the spirit of cooperation that underpins our partnership with the United States, and we stand behind them as they work to turn the lights back on for our friends South of the border.”                                                                                             – Niagara West MPP and recently appointed Ontario Associate Minister of Energy Sam Oosterhoff

A News Release from the Constituency Office of Niagara West Ford Government MPP Sam Oosterhoff, with a Foreword by Niagara At Large reporter/publisher Doug Draper

Posted October 4^th, 2024 on Nagara At Large

A Brief Foreword by Doug Draper at Niagara At Large – 

The number of things Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his Conservative government have done, are doing and are planning to do that are so objectionable to many of us would fill more books than I have room left for on my shelves.

However, when they do something that is unquestionably good, I believe in giving credit where credit is due.

Lending some of the manpower and technical support of Hydro One to our neighbours in the southern United States who are still trying to cope with more than a million power outages in the wake of Hurricane Helene – one of the most destructive and deadly hurricanes in history on this continent – is certainly one of those good things.

The victims of this terrible disaster will no doubt welcome Ontario’s help and if the shoe was on the other foot I also have no doubt that our American neighbours would do the same. And isn’t it great when any arm of our government does something that we can, indeed, be proud of.

On the down side, the disaster our Hydro One workers are responding to is one more in a growing number of ever more severe weather-related catastrophes that we are suffering through on this continent and planet. Destructive, deadly and and costly episodes like this should serve as one more warning warning to our political leaders and to each and every one of us that we have to do everything we can  to address the climate crisis – NOW!

Now here is the News Release of Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff’s Constituency Office –

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE – Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West, joined Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification, to address Hydro One storm responders at a muster point at the St. Catharines Husky Travel Centre in Niagara-on-the-Lake early this October 3rd, 2024.

Hydro One is sending 100 highly skilled storm responders to help restore power alongside crews from Georgia Power following the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene. The storm has caused widespread destruction and power outages across the Southeastern United States.  It is estimated that more than 650,000 Georgia Power customers lost power due to the storm.

“I am deeply grateful for the commitment and generosity of our frontline storm responders at Hydro One,” said MPP Oosterhoff.

“Today, over 100 of Ontario’s finest grid repair and restoration workers are heading to the Southeastern United States, answering the call to help communities reeling from the impact of Hurricane Helene. 

“These workers embody the spirit of cooperation that underpins our partnership with the United States, and we stand behind them as they work to turn the lights back on for our friends South of the border.  These workers exemplify the Ontario spirit – helping those in need, with willing hearts and skillful hands.”

“Ontario and Canada remain steadfast friends and democratic allies to the United States and stand ready to support them as they confront the devastation of Hurricane Helene,” said Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification.

“Hydro One’s commitment to supporting our neighbours in times of crisis reflects the very best of Ontario and the importance of the special Canada-United States relationship.  We thank the skilled women and men who will work diligently to restore power and support recovery for the victims.”

MPP Oosterhoff and Minister Lecce joined the frontline Hydro One line crews in Niagara-on-the-Lake as the storm responders formed a relief convoy of bucket trucks and repair equipment and prepared to travel to Georgia.

“Helene brought violent winds, heavy rains causing severe damage and devastation,” said Teri French, Executive Vice-President of Safety, Operations and Customer Experience at Hydro One.

“Our thoughts are with our neighbours in the Southeastern United States affected by this catastrophic hurricane.  Our highly skilled storm responders have a long history of working safely alongside other utilities to support communities during times of crisis.  We are proud to answer the call and send our crews to care for others during their time of need.”

Hydro One’s hardworking and dedicated employees are trained to work in emergency situations on both transmission and distribution systems.  The utility will send approximately 100 line workers to help Georgia Power with the restoration efforts.

As part of the North Atlantic Mutual Assistance Group, Hydro One has reciprocal agreements in place with North American utilities to aid local communities during significant power outages.  In these mutual assistance situations, all costs are covered by the utilities receiving help.

Quick Facts:

• Hydro One is sending 100 highly skilled line workers to help restore power in Georgia.
• Hydro One has received fourteen emergency response awards from the Edison Electric Institute for its storm recovery efforts, including mutual assistance restoration work following the California wildfires, the East Coast storms, Riley and Quinn, and Hurricane Irma in 2017.
• The Ontario government provided $5.5 million to twenty-two small municipalities across the province following significant weather events in 2022.

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