Duke Energy committed to ongoing rebuild in western N.C., thanks Carolinas customers for patience and support following Helene
Duke Energy committed to ongoing rebuild in western N.C., thanks Carolinas customers for patience and support following Helene |
[08-October-2024] |
Editor's note: Visit the Duke Energy News Center for downloadable B-rolland high-resolution images. CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy crews have been all-hands-on-deck since the moment Helene exited the Carolinas. The company has successfully restored electric service to most customers in the upstate of South Carolina and the majority of those who can receive power in western North Carolina. While Duke Energy workers have made substantial progress overall, extremely difficult and targeted work lies ahead before the company can restore additional customers in the hardest-hit communities. "Sadly, Helene's devastation is unlike anything we've ever experienced in the western parts of the Carolinas," said Jason Hollifield, Duke Energy's storm director for the Carolinas. "While we continue our vital work to help restore power and work with stakeholders to rebuild communities, I want to pause to thank our customers. "We greatly appreciate the patience, support and kindness you've shown – and continue to show – toward the men and women who are still working around the clock to rebuild the grid and restore power." Restoration updates Many North Carolina customers who remain without power are unable to receive service due to major damage to their homes and businesses and substantial infrastructure damage in their communities. In some cases, homes, businesses and critical power grid equipment no longer physically exist. Also, in some places, Duke Energy remains unable to access and assess areas due to road and infrastructure destruction and the critical need to coordinate with major ongoing disaster response efforts. "We've shifted to a targeted approach for our operations and efforts across western North Carolina," said Hollifield. "And we continue to work with local, state and federal agencies to coordinate and support rebuilding communities, especially in the mountain region." Duke Energy has restored 2.6 million customer outages – including 1.2 million in South Carolina and 1.4 million in North Carolina – since Helene impacted the region on Sept. 27. The storm, which made landfall in Florida on Sept. 26, resulted in more than 3.1 million Duke Energy customer outages across the six states it operates electric utilities, from Florida through the Carolinas up to the Midwest. Duke Energy to lead longer-term recovery efforts from western N.C. command center "Our engineers, designers, project managers and others will be in one place as they work, plan and make strategic decisions that aid in an efficient reconstruction of the power grid in the hardest-hit areas," said Hollifield. "It also allows us to collaborate with national, state and local government stakeholders from a central location to help ensure we continue to be coordinated in our efforts." Duke Energy also established a dedicated webpage, duke-energy.com/HeleneRecovery, to provide the latest information and resources for impacted customers in western North Carolina. The page currently includes a map of the repair and rebuild zones, common questions and answers and more. Scam reminders Duke Energy will never threaten immediate disconnection, demand payment information over the phone or ask customers to get a "Green Dot" or prepaid credit card. For more information and helpful tips, visit duke-energy.com/scam. Duke Energy Duke Energy is executing an ambitious clean energy transition, keeping reliability, affordability, and accessibility at the forefront as the company works toward net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including expanded energy storage, renewables, natural gas and nuclear. More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition. 24-Hour: 800.559.3853 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/duke-energy-committed-to-ongoing-rebuild-in-western-nc-thanks-carolinas-customers-for-patience-and-support-following-helene-302270408.html SOURCE Duke Energy | ||
Company Codes: NYSE:DUK |