Mon Power has shared with Pendleton County authorities a widespread and planned power outage for June 17. Outages could extend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
According to First Energy, the corporate owner of Mon Power, “As part of our commitment to delivering the safe and reliable electric service you rely on, our utility personnel make proactive equipment repairs and system enhancements throughout the year. While this work can often be completed without any impact to homes or businesses, sometimes it might be necessary to disrupt electric service so that our crews can complete the work safely.
We know that any outage is inconvenient and our crews will work as quickly as possible to minimize any disruption a planned outage might cause. We appreciate your patience and understanding while we work to enhance your electric service.
To help you prepare, we will notify you of an upcoming planned outage via phone. Be sure to keep your contact information up to date so that we can reach you. You can also sign up to receive notifications of planned outages via text message or email.”
The reasons for these planned outages lie in needed maintenance of the power grid or related facilities. As First Energy explains, “planned outages are typically scheduled so that our crews can safely make equipment repairs or complete proactive maintenance to enhance electric service and help prevent future power outages. This may include tree trimming, system upgrades or other work to help support future growth in the area.”
Rick Gillespie, Pendleton County emergency services coordinator, has shared that the outages will involve “numerous addresses” whose power comes from the following circuits:
- North Franklin Substation – Sugar Grove Circuit;
- North Franklin – Town of Franklin Circuit;
- North Franklin – Oak Flat Circuit;
- North Franklin – Navy Circuit; and
- North Franklin – Hanover Circuit.
Length of the outage may vary. First Energy explained on its website that “the duration of a planned outage depends on the complexity of the job and the estimated amount of time we expect it will take our crews to safely complete the work. When you receive a planned outage notification, we will indicate how long we expect the outage to last and the approximate start and end time.”
First Energy suggests that its customers take the following precautions:
- If a person is using a backup generator for emergency power, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use it safely. Never connect a generator directly to one’s home electrical system without a proper isolation device installed by a qualified electrician. Operating a generator that is not isolated from the electric distribution system is dangerous.
- If any member of the household depends on electrically operated life-support equipment, have a contingency plan in place, such as a battery backup.
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Food will keep for several hours if doors are closed as much as possible.
- Make sure all devices are fully charged.
- Know how to manually open garage doors and electric gates.
- Have water available, especially if one relies on well water.
- Use a flashlight or battery-powered lantern for light. Use care when burning candles or camp stoves that run on gas; open flames are a dangerous fire hazard.
- To safeguard equipment and appliances – and to ease the initial load when power is restored – turn off or unplug televisions, VCRs, DVD players, stereos, computers and appliances that use electric motors, such as refrigerators, freezers or air conditioners, until power is restored. Leave an incandescent light on so one will know when the power comes back on.
First Energy provides real time information via its website and app. This includes estimates on the duration of outages whether planned or caused by severe weather.
The planned outage could be cancelled or postponed in instances of severe weather. This includes unseasonably warm temperatures, as well as storm activity.
