Utility sends 822 workers to Texas
That is more workers than Progress Energy sent to the northern Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005.
Of the 822 workers deployed, 380 will come from Florida and 442 from the Carolinas, the utility said. The company sent 385 of its employees and 437 contract workers.
The workers are a mix of company line and service crews, transmission line technicians and support personnel.
In addition, contract line and tree crews with their vehicles and equipment will be sent.
The company expects the workers to be in Texas for about two weeks. The region is mopping up after Hurricane Gustav.
The crews are being sent as part of the Southeastern Electric Exchange that utilities use to provide mutual aid after storms. The utility requesting the help pays for the workers.
None of the costs are paid by Progress Energy customers, according to the company.
At the height of the storm, 3 million people were without power in Texas, and 180,000 homes and businesses were without electricity in Louisiana from damage caused by Ike and Gustav.
Related News

Power Demand Seen Holding Firm In Europe’s Latest Lockdown
BERLIN - European power demand is likely to hold up in the second round of national lockdown restrictions, with fluctuations most likely driven by changes in the weather.
Traders and analysts expect normal consumption this time around as home heating during the chilly season replaces commercial demand.
Last week electricity consumption in France, Germany and the U.K. was close to business-as-usual levels for the time of year, according to BloombergNEF data. By contrast, power demand had dropped 16% in the first seven days of the springtime lockdown.
How power demand performs has significance outside the sector. It’s often seen as a proxy for…