NFPA 70b Training - Electrical Maintenance
Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.
- Live Online
- 12 hours Instructor-led
- Group Training Available
A severe ice storm on Dec. 23 left 360,000 AEP customers without electricity, some for more than a week. Most were in central and southern Ohio. A second storm in northern Ohio on Jan. 6 left 76,000 AEP customers without power.
"Customers, many of whom were left for over a week without electricity, should be part of a public process that looks into AEP's policies and practices for handling power outages," said Consumers' Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander, who represents Ohio utility consumers.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, at Gov. Bob Taft's urging, plans to review utilities' response to the power failures.
Migden-Ostrander said a lack of preventive maintenance by AEP, such as trimming trees and replacing rotted poles, contributed to the length and scope of the outages.
"Clearly, many of the outages were not preventable, but better maintenance and planning by management may have played a role," she said.
Migden-Ostrander also asked for the PUCO to determine whether AEP is following its own policies and if it is keeping required maintenance records.
An AEP spokeswoman denied that AEP mismanagement or inadequate preparation contributed to the outages or their duration.
Alan R. Schriber, PUCO chairman, said the commission will deliver a report to Taft that will focus on assistance agreements between utilities.
Schriber said he will rule later on the need for public hearings.
While not defending AEP, he called it "absurd" to focus on tree trimming when there is no evidence that tree-trimming contributed to outages.
Related News
Solar changing shape of electricity prices in Northern Europe
Northvolt Affirms Continuation of EV Battery Plant Project Near Montreal
Victims of California's mega-fire will sue electricity company
Former B.C. Hydro CEO earns half a million without working a single day
Hydro One shares jump 5.7 per cent after U.S. regulators reject $6.7B takeover
Coronavirus impacts dismantling of Germany's Philippsburg nuclear plant
Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter
Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.
Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE
- Timely insights from industry experts
- Practical solutions T&D engineers
- Free access to every issue