Lakefront Utilities Inc. (LUI) has responded to two requests for assistance from neighbouring electric utilities following the powerful spring storm that caused significant, widespread damage to distribution infrastructure. A crew of linemen left Cobourg yesterday, April 3, 2024, and are in Albany, New York, helping perform critical repairs to their local distribution system. Another LUI crew is in Peterborough working alongside Hydro One to restore power to customers in some of the hardest-hit areas in eastern Ontario.
“I am incredibly proud of our staff’s selflessness and unwavering dedication to helping our neighbouring utilities to the north and south,” said Dereck Paul, President and C.E.O. of Lakefront Utilities. “Their willingness to lend a helping hand exemplifies the true spirit of teamwork and community, and this collective effort strengthens not only our organization but also the bonds within our broader community.”
Responding to requests for assistance is not new for Lakefront Utilities Inc. Most notably, in 2018, LUI sent a crew to Westchester County in New York to help restore power in the wake of the nor’easter that wreaked havoc on Northeastern, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States. Later the same year, a crew from LUI went to New Jersey to assist as they prepared for Hurricane Florence.
LUI has a standing agreement with K-Line Construction Inc., based in New Brunswick, to provide assistance during major power outages. This partnership is built on collaborative values and a shared responsibility to help during emergencies with power restoration.
All costs incurred while Lakefront employees are helping different service territories are paid by the utility requesting assistance.