Energy company working aggressively to restore power for customers sooner

BOSTON (October 28, 2021) – Despite taking on additional damage and power outages overnight as strong winds persisted on the Cape, Eversource crews are making significant progress with its massive restoration effort, which will continue to intensify through the day. The energy company estimates that it will have power restored to the majority of customers affected by the nor’easter by Saturday at 6 p.m., with most being restored before then.  

More than 1,500 line and tree crews – including crews from as far away as Canada, Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee – are working non-stop to repair the extensive damage to the electric system, with the worst being in Plymouth, New Bedford, Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, and hundreds of additional out-of-state crews will be arriving throughout the day to assist with restoration efforts. As of 12:15 p.m., the energy company has restored power to more than 240,000 customers since the storm began, including some more than once, and will continue working around the clock until all approximately 178,000 customers in Massachusetts who remain without power at 1:30 p.m. are restored.

“We know how frustrating even a momentary interruption in service can be and we will work tirelessly – with every crew and resource we can muster – until every customer affected by this storm has power again,” said Eversource President and CEO Joe Nolan. “We had strong, hazardous winds on the Cape through the night, which brought down more trees and electric lines, causing additional power outages. The number of massive trees down is a major factor and has made the job even more challenging, but we remain laser focused on this restoration – which will intensify as the day goes on. We are grateful to our customers for their patience and recognize the tremendous disruption that being without electricity presents.” 

To expedite restoration the energy company has set up four staging areas to support crew deployment. Staging areas are now in place at Kingston Collection, Cape Cod Mall, a MASS DOT facility in Orleans and Falmouth Mall. These satellite locations supplement Eversource’s regular work centers, reducing materials bottlenecks and providing more efficient deployment of crews through a more localized approach. Each location is led by an experienced commander with control of the restoration process in their area, a mobile command center, dedicated crews, supervisors, and damage assessors, as well as road-clearing and other equipment. The energy company provided lodging to more than 4,000 workers last night and anticipates providing lodging for at least 5,000 workers tonight, including at Joint Base Cape Cod. 
 
Eversource crews continue to follow COVID-19 safety protocols as they work to repair damage and restore power, and the energy company reminds customers to please keep their distance. The company also reminds customers to always stay clear of downed wires, report them immediately to 9-1-1 and to be cautious while continuing with their own storm clean up – be careful moving or cutting tree limbs and look for any wires that may be entangled in debris.

Eversource (NYSE: ES) transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas and supplies water to approximately 4 million customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Celebrated as a national leader for its corporate citizenship, Eversource is the #1 energy company in Newsweek’s list of America's Most Responsible Companies for 2020 and recognized as one of America’s Most JUST Companies and the top utility by Forbes and JUST Capital. Eversource transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas and supplies water to 1.8 million customers throughout Massachusetts, including approximately 1.5 million electric customers in 139 communities, nearly 300,000 gas customers in 51 communities, and 19,800 water customers in five communities. Eversource harnesses the commitment of approximately 8,000 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and water with superior customer service. The company is empowering a clean energy future in the Northeast, with nationally-recognized energy efficiency solutions and successful programs to integrate new clean energy resources like solar, offshore wind, electric vehicles and battery storage, into the electric system. For more information, please visit our website (www.eversource.com) and follow us on Twitter (@eversourceMA) and Facebook (facebook.com/EversourceMA). For more information on our water services, visit www.aquarionwater.com.

CONTACT:
William Hinkle
603-634-2228
william.hinkle@eversource.com