Wisconsin Utility Companies Helping Restore Power In Puerto Rico

WE Energies and the Wisconsin Public Service Corporation are sending 60 workers to Puerto Rico.

Barry McNulty, director of Wisconsin communications for the WEC Energy Group — one of the nation’s largest electric and natural gas delivery holding companies — of which WE Energies and WPS are subsidiaries, said workers will be in Puerto Rico by mid-January.

The United States territory was devastated by Hurricane Maria in September when the Category 5 hurricane knocked out power and cell phone service, and left hundreds of thousands without shelter.

McNulty said the two Wisconsin utilities are among a number of mainland providers helping to restore power to Puerto Rico, where at least half of the residents are still without electricity.

“Now that we’re able to send larger groups of utility workers into that area we’ll make a significant impact on that number very quickly,” McNulty said.

His hope is that they’ll be able to have the island back “online” as soon as possible.

Equipment is currently being shipped from Jacksonville, Florida. Once it arrives the team will be ready to go. They plan to focus on the San Juan area of Puerto Rico.

“Most (of the workers) will be line mechanics and setting wires, repairing poles,” McNulty said. “It’s a lot of physical work and conditions will be 70 degrees to the high 80’s weather with narrow streets and rugged terrain.”

McNulty said the utilities will be reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, not local ratepayers.