CMP Restoring Power in Maine

AVANGRID Sister Companies Sending Support Crews from Connecticut

AUGUSTA, ME — March 15, 2023 — In coordination with Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) officials and local municipalities, Central Maine Power (CMP) is engaged in power restoration efforts after a long duration Nor’easter swept through its service territory Tuesday. Extremely strong winds late into the evening resulted in approximately 115,000 total power outages, though lineworkers now have that number down to approximately 47,000 as of 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Along coastal areas, including York and Knox counties, hundreds of trees and limbs have damaged powerlines, and electricity restoration is expected to continue throughout Wednesday.

“We appreciate the patience and support of our customers who were impacted by this storm. Weather conditions were extremely hazardous Tuesday evening, and our crews worked through the night making lines safe, removing fallen trees, and restoring power,” said CMP spokesperson Jon Breed. “Now that the storm is passed, we have repositioned crews to the areas hardest hit and will be working all day. Safety is a top concern. If you see our men and women out working roadside, please give them plenty of space.”

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 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, use the CMP mobile app or visit Outage Central.
  • 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 $41 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: networks and renewables. Through its networks business, AVANGRID owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Through its renewables business, AVANGRID owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. AVANGRID employs more than 7,500 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 https://www.avangrid.com.

Media Contact:

Jon Breed
Jonathan.Breed@avangrid.com
207.458.3510

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