CMP Monitoring Winter Storm

Storm Response Crews Pre-Staged and Prepared to Respond

AUGUSTA, ME—January 22, 2023. Central Maine Power (CMP) is closely monitoring a winter storm that will bring wet snow and strong gusts to coastal and inland Maine overnight Sunday and during the day Monday. These conditions, combined with leftover snow on trees and powerlines from Friday’s storm, could increase our region’s risk for outages. As a result, the company has pre-staged extra storm response crews to provide additional coverage in the event outages do occur.

“We believe heavy snow on trees and powerlines from Friday’s storm, combined with a new round of wet snow and strong winds on Monday, could increase our risk for power outages,” said CMP spokesperson Jon Breed. “We are also aware that the Maine State Police is asking drivers to slow down during the storm. Given the potentially hazardous driving conditions on Monday, we would offer a similar reminder to drive safe as roughly a quarter of the outages we saw on Friday were the result of car accidents causing damage to utility poles.”

In preparation for every storm, CMP works closely with local Emergency Management officials to ensure local needs are prioritized for road and debris clearing, making sure emergency vehicles are not blocked by downed lines. CMP would also like to remind Mainers to always drive safe, especially during hazardous weather conditions.

Customers may find storm preparation tips and a checklist on the CMP website.

Customers may download the mobile CMP app at the App Store enabling them to report outages quickly and easily, and track restoration times. They may also enroll online in Outage Alerts to stay current in the event they lose power.

CMP reminds customers to remember the following if they have lost power:

  • Stay away from downed lines. No line is safe to touch.
  • Turn off or unplug major appliance and sensitive electronics.
  • Never use ranges or outdoor stoves to heat your home.
  • If you need shelter or food, reach out to 211 for available resources.

If you lose service:

  • For fast outage reporting, visit Outage Central or use the CMP mobile app.
  • Keep sensitive electronic appliances such as computers, TVs and stereos plugged into a surge protector, or unplug them. They could be damaged if a power surge occurs when electricity is restored.
  • Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. For information about food safety, visit http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/refridg_food.html.

For customers with generators:

  • Hire a licensed electrician to install permanent generators and transfer switches.
  • Properly ground all portable generators.
  • Carefully read and observe all instructions in your generator’s operating manual.
  • Never run a generator indoors, or even in an open garage.
  • If your carbon monoxide detector goes off – get out of the building immediately and call 911.
  • Do not store fuel indoors or try to refuel a generator while it’s running.
  • Refer to CMP’s web page on generator safety.

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About CMP: Central Maine Power Company (CMP), a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc., is Maine’s largest electricity transmission and distribution utility. Established in 1899 and based in Augusta, Maine, CMP serves approximately 646,000 customers across 346 communities in central and southern Maine. It operates approximately 23,500 miles of distribution lines and 2,900 miles of transmission lines. Over the last decade, the company has invested approximately $3.5 billion in Maine system infrastructure.

About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $40 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. AVANGRID employs more than 7,000 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital in 2021, 2022 and 2023 as one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s best corporate citizens. In 2023, AVANGRID ranked first within the utility sector for its commitment to the environment. The company supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2022 for the fourth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. AVANGRID is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A. For more information, visit avangrid.com.

Media Contact:

Jon Breed
Jonathan.Breed@avangrid.com
207.458.3510

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