How you can get help with power repairs

subscribe

Local, state and federal governments, and utility companies are stepping in to help Oklahomans who need electrical service entrances repaired on their homes or businesses.

Oklahoma City announced it would take part in a program authorized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to pay for the repairs. Tulsa announced its participation.

The program authorizes communities and utility companies to contract with licensed electricians to make needed repairs. The electricians will be paid $500 for each job they take.

The federal government will pay 75 percent of the bill, and the state and local governments will split the rest. Homeowners who seek the help will not have to pay for the work. There is no income requirement to qualify, but anyone who already has paid an electrician to make needed repairs will not be eligible for reimbursement, officials said.

Discussions about the program started just recently, said Albert Ashwood, director of Oklahoma's Department of Emergency Management. He said the $500 payment amount for electricians was decided upon after much discussion. The $500 amount usually is a minimum deductible for people with insurance, he said.

"The real need is to get lights back on. The quicker we can get people home, then the less there is a need for shelters and emergency food and water and that type of thing," Ashwood said.

State officials said they were told by FEMA that getting electrical service entrances to homes and businesses was a significant issue during the recovery process after Hurricane Katrina.

Gov. Brad Henry said an estimated 40,000 utility customers statewide need electrical service entrance repairs and may not be able to pay for the work. Oklahoma City and Tulsa have set up hot lines that their residents can call to report problems with their electrical service entrances.

Outside of those two cities, people who need the service should contact their electric providers to get repairs started. People who live within Public Service Co. of Oklahoma or Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. service areas, but not in the Tulsa or Oklahoma City areas, should call the hot lines established for Tulsa and Oklahoma City residents, Ashwood said.

Related News

BC Hydro completes major milestone on Site C transmission line work

VANCOUVER - The second and final 500 kilovolt, 75 kilometre transmission line on the Site C project has been completed and energized.

With this milestone, the work to connect the new Site C substation to the BC Hydro grid is complete. Once the Site C project begins generating electricity, the transmission lines will help deliver clean energy to the rest of the province.

The two 75 kilometre transmission lines run along an existing right-of-way between Site C and the Peace Canyon generating station. The project’s first 500 kilovolt, 75 kilometre transmission line – along with the Site C substation – were both…

READ MORE
wind power

Europe's stunted hydro & nuclear output may hobble recovery drive

READ MORE

low wind speed turbines

UK peak power prices rise to second highest level since 2018

READ MORE

quebec-hit-by-widespread-power-outages-following-severe-windstorm

Quebec Hit by Widespread Power Outages Following Severe Windstorm

READ MORE

Ontario government wants new gas plants to boost electricity production

READ MORE