the Edison Electrical Institute awarded Alabama Power its prestigious emergency intervention award for the company’s rapid response to Hurricane Zeta and for helping others after this year’s winter storm Viola.

EEI is the association that represents all electric utilities owned by US investors. Presented to EEI member companies, the Emergency Response Awards recognize utility recovery and assistance efforts following service disruptions caused by extreme weather conditions or other natural events. Winners are chosen by a panel of judges following an international nomination process. The awards were presented on Tuesday at the IEE Board of Directors meeting.

“Alabama Power and its employees have gone above and beyond for the customers and communities affected by Hurricane Zeta and Winter Storm Viola, and they are exceptionally deserving of this exceptional award,” said EEI President Tom Kuhn.

Zeta hit the Louisiana coast in late October as a Category 2 hurricane, then roared through Alabama, cutting service to nearly a third of Alabama Power customers from the Gulf Coast to the east of Alabama. The impact of the storm was similar to what the company experienced over the course of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the April 27, 2011, tornadoes.

More than 5,000 linemen and support personnel from 19 states and Canada have joined Alabama Power teams to help restore service under difficult conditions.

Months later, in mid-February, Alabama Power teams mobilized to help others after the winter storm Viola brought freezing temperatures, snow and ice from the southwest to the northeast. The storm hit Texas particularly hard.

After the company confirmed that Alabama Power customers were in good shape, more than 300 Alabama Power linemen and support staff traveled to east Texas to help Oncor in restoring electricity to its customers. In the first two days alone, Alabama Power staff threaded over 300 spans of wire and replaced 22 poles and 25 transformers.

In the United States, investor-owned utilities typically assist each other when major disasters strike under long-standing mutual assistance agreements.

“Many EEI member companies have experienced historic storms and other significant weather events in recent months that have left customers without power,” Kuhn said. “Mutual assistance is a hallmark of our industry and is essential to ensure safe and efficient catering.

“The crews worked around the clock and often in the most dangerous conditions to assess the damage and restore power safely and as quickly as possible. They did all of this during a global pandemic, ”Kuhn said.

“We are proud to be recognized for our storm response efforts and our commitment to serving our customers,” said Corey Sweeney, director of operations for the Alabama Power Storm Center. “Our employees take great pride in helping others and doing their jobs safely.

EEI’s U.S. utilities provide electricity to more than 220 million people in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. EEI also has more than 65 international power companies among its members, with operations in more than 90 countries.

(Courtesy of Alabama News Center)