PSNH Crews Head to Maine to Assist with Ice Storm Restoration

Portsmouth, New Hampshire - An initial wave of 31 PSNH employees set out this Christmas Eve to assist in power restoration in the State of Maine, where a significant ice storm has left an estimated 100,000 customers without power.

The PSNH team, which includes lineworkers, field supervisors, damage assessors, stock handlers and a safety coordinator—will be assisting Central Maine Power, which reported more than 85,000 customers without power as of noon today. According to Central Maine Power, "Ice as much as an inch thick has coated tree branches, power lines, and roads, making travel difficult and causing power interruptions. Androscoggin, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, and Waldo Counties are the hardest hit."

"Central Maine Power has helped us in New Hampshire during many storm restorations and we're happy to return the favor," said Paul Ramsey, PSNH Vice President - Energy Delivery. "We are also very grateful to our employees who will take time during this holiday season to help others."

The PSNH crews are expected to arrive later today at their initial deployment location in Augusta.

The PSNH crews are part of a contingent from Northeast Utilities, PSNH’s parent company, including crews from NSTAR and Western Massachusetts Electric Company.