For Immediate Release: September 13, 2017
Tucson, Ariz. – Tucson Electric Power (TEP) and other Fortis Inc. subsidiaries will send employees and other resources to the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean to support power restoration efforts in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
TEP is making arrangements to ship bucket trucks, fuel tankers, pickup trucks and lighting equipment this week to the islands to help sister company Fortis TCI restore electric service to thousands of island residents. Restoration efforts are expected to last several weeks.
TEP and UniSource Energy Services (UES), which provides electric service in parts of Arizona, will send more than a dozen journeymen, heavy equipment mechanics, construction supervisors and safety experts to Turks and Caicos later this month to aid in repairs and relieve employees from Fortis utilities in Canada. TEP, UES and their parent company, UNS Energy, are subsidiaries of Fortis Inc.
“Our thoughts are with our fellow Fortis employees and the residents of Turks and Caicos who endured the devastation of Hurricane Irma,” said David G. Hutchens, UNS Energy President and CEO. “Our skilled and dedicated employees know how to restore service quickly and safely in dangerous conditions, so we’re eager to help in any way that we can.”
More than 1,900 power poles were blown down on the islands when Hurricane Irma struck Thursday. Relief crews will focus first on restoring power to critical infrastructure such as water supply systems and to emergency response organizations like fire, police, hospitals and shelters. Fortis TCI provides electric service to about 14,000 residents. TEP’s costs to participate in these restoration efforts will be covered by Fortis TCI through a mutual assistance agreement, not customers’ rates.
Earlier this month, UNS Energy joined other Fortis subsidiaries in donating approximately $100,000 to the American Red Cross in support of residents and communities afflicted by Hurricane Harvey. UNS Energy contributed $15,000 to the donation from its corporate resources, not customers’ rates.
TEP provides safe, reliable electric service to nearly 420,000 customers in Southern Arizona. The company, founded in 1892, is commemorating its 125th anniversary this year through various community service initiatives. For more information, visit tep.com. TEP, UES and its parent company, UNS Energy, are subsidiaries of Fortis Inc., a leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry. For further information, visit fortisinc.com.
News Media Contact: Joseph Barrios, (520) 884-3725, jbarrios@tep.com
