Hydro One sends crews to Ohio after Ike

TORONTO, ONTARIO - Hydro One announced it has dispatched crews to Ohio to assist with power restoration efforts after Hurricane Ike devastated the state's electricity system. The company will send 170 line maintainers and other personnel as well as equipment to the Columbus area.

In Ohio, where a state of emergency has been declared, more than 1.3 million homes and businesses have been without power since September 15. Ohio's American Electric Power (AEP) has asked Hydro One for assistance to repair its badly damaged electricity infrastructure. Hydro One crews are expected to remain in Ohio until Sept. 22, working in the Columbus and Canton areas where approximately 600,000 residents are without power.

"I am proud of the employees of Hydro One for lending their knowledge and expertise in a time of great need," said George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. "Hydro One's commitment to corporate citizenship demonstrates how organizations and people bound by a common purpose can make a significant difference even in the aftermath of terrible disasters."

"Hydro One has a longstanding tradition of answering the call for help," said Laura Formusa, President and CEO, Hydro One. "Outages of this magnitude can be crippling to any community. This is why our support to this restoration effort is so important."

Hydro One has reciprocal agreements in place with North American utilities to provide assistance during significant power outages. Hydro One crews have assisted U.S. utilities following other emergencies, including providing assistance to the state of Florida following hurricanes in 2004 and 2005.

In 2006, the company dispatched crews to Buffalo, New York to assist with power restoration following a freak snowstorm. In 2007, the company also dispatched crews to Vermont following a severe weather event that resulted in significant outages.