Xcel Energy dispatching employees to help with Hurricane Helene aftermath

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (KAMR/KCIT) — Xcel Energy announced that it will send employees from across the states it serves to the areas impacted by Hurricane Helene to help restore power following the devastating storm.

Over 100 Xcel Energy employees from Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas left for Georgia on Wednesday. Line workers—along with safety consultants, fleet mechanics, and operations leaders—joined their counterparts from other utilities across the country under the industry’s mutual assistance program. Crews are currently assigned to support local power companies in Georgia in restoring power to customers.

“We understand the essential role electricity plays in powering our everyday lives and are committed to supporting our fellow Americans when disaster strikes. The impacts of the electrical system in these areas is extensive and unparalleled for this region, and it will take the contribution of all our nation’s utilities to restore power to these areas. We are committed to doing our part and know they would do the same for our customers,” said Bob Frenzel, chairman, president and CEO of Xcel Energy.

Xcel Energy officials said the company’s hurricane restoration team includes 31 employees who live and work in Texas and New Mexico communities.

Employees are expected to work in parts of Augusta, Georgia, and officials noted that power restoration efforts are expected to last roughly two weeks. Xcel Energy also noted that the company released 230 contractors earlier this week to help restore power in the region.

Xcel Energy stated that it is part of the Edison Electric Institute’s Mutual Assistance program. Following major storms that bring significant outages, electric companies use this program—a voluntary partnership of electronic companies from across the country—to help speed restoration.

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