PHILADELPHIA (February 11, 2010, 10 p.m.) – PECO is continuing to restore service to thousands of customers who lost electric service during the latest savage snowstorm—the fiercest winter storm PECO has seen in more than a decade.  The company has restored service to more than 200,000 customers since the beginning of the storm.  Crews will continue to work around-the-clock until all damage is repaired and power is restored to everyone.

More than 800 employees at a time—working 12 to 16 hour shifts— are focusing on hundreds of individual jobs.  The company’s entire Emergency Response Organization, including field and back office personnel, will work until all service is restored.

As of 10 p.m. about 23,000 customers remained without power.

Specifically:
Bucks:           8,000
Chester:        2,000
Delaware:      5,000
Montgomery:  6,000
Philadelphia:  1,500

While we are making steady progress, road and job site conditions continue to slow restoration efforts.  Because of this, power may not be restored to all customers for several days, possibly through the weekend.  We understand that our customers are inconvenienced whenever they are without service, and we appreciate their assistance and patience as we repair damage and safely restore everyone’s service. 

To assist in the restoration effort, PECO has reached out to utilities as far away as Illinois and Michigan.  More than 50 crews arrived today and an additional 150 crews will join the effort.  By tomorrow morning, PECO will have deployed 1,200 personnel on storm restoration activity. 

While work continues, we want to ensure our customers remain safe. 

• Heavier snow can accumulate around natural gas meters, which can cover the meter’s regulator vent and block gas service.  Suburban natural gas customers are urged to clear away the snow from their outdoor meter with a brush rather than shoveling, which can damage the meter.
• If you are using an electric generator, you must make sure that your circuit breaker is off and you are not feeding power back into the PECO system, which could harm utility workers.  Also, please make sure that the generator is outdoors.
• Always consider that downed electrical wires are energized and DO NOT TOUCH.  Report downed wires to PECO immediately at 1-800-841-4141.