CMP Plans and Advises Customers to Prepare for Potential Holiday Outages - 6 p.m.

Include supplies in last minute shopping  

AUGUSTA, ME — December 22, 2020 – With current Maine forecasts predicting driving rain and high winds late Thursday and into early Friday, Christmas Day, Central Maine Power (CMP) is gearing up to respond to the third major storm this month and advises customers to check their emergency supplies of batteries, flashlights, phone chargers, non-perishable food and generator fuel as they head into the holiday. 

High winds across the state may cause outages as strong gusts could blow broken tree limbs into utility poles and lines causing damage. Some forecasts have predicted gusts of up to 50 mph.

“We have been watching and planning for this storm for several days and are letting all of our own employees know that they will likely be called in to work over the holiday,” said David Flanagan, executive Board chair of CMP. We know that customers may be distracted by last minute holiday preparations and we want to be sure they consider the possibility that power may be impacted as they get ready.” 

CMP has been planning its workforce and response plan by coordinating with local Emergency Management officials to be ready to clear local roads of any downed wires and debris, and to begin restoration as soon as possible should outages occur.

CMP offers storm preparation tips and a checklist on our website cmpco.com.

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 range or outdoor stoves to heat your home.
  • If you are in need of shelter or food, reach out to 211 for available resource.

CMP continues to observe all COVID-19 safety protocols in storm response including:

  • Working in separate teams to minimize contact
  • Restricting visitor access to company facilities
  • Entering a customer residence only in the event of emergency and after assessing risk
  • Maintaining appropriate social distancing in the field
  • Allowing one employee per vehicle
  • Wearing masks

Customers may use online tools, accessible at www.cmpco.com to report and monitor outages.

If you lose service:

  • To report an outage, visit Outage Central at cmpco.com. Customers may also report an outage using CMP’s 24/7 automated phone system at 800.696.1000. 
  • 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 636,000 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. In 2019, CMP was named Large Business of the Year by the Kennebec Valley United Way. For more information, visit www.cmpco.com.

About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a leading, sustainable energy company with approximately $36 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states. With headquarters in Orange, Connecticut, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns 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 approximately 6,600 people. AVANGRID supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2019 and 2020 by the Ethisphere Institute. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.

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  • Catharine Hartnett
    Catharine.Hartnett@avangrid.com
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