Tennessee crews to assist with Matthew restoration

Volunteer lineworkers from eight electric cooperatives to participate in restoration effort following massive hurricane

NASHVILLE – More than 80 electric cooperative lineworkers from Tennessee are heading to South Carolina and Florida to restore power to those affected by Hurricane Matthew.

“Eight electric cooperatives in Tennessee are sending personnel and equipment to Florida and South Carolina to assist electric cooperatives impacted by this massive storm,” said David Callis, executive vice president and general manager of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. “We are proud of these volunteers who are leaving their families to help others in need. This will be hard, dangerous work in difficult conditions.”

Electric cooperative organizations across the Southeast began developing response plans earlier this week, and details have been adjusted as the exact path of the storm and the extent of the damage became more certain. This cooperation is enabled through mutual-aid agreements among electric cooperatives.

Crews will be assisting Berkley Electric Cooperative near Charleston, South Carolina, and Clay Electric Cooperative in Keystone Heights, Florida.

“One day, we will need help,” says Callis, “and when that tornado or ice storm arrives, we know that this assistance will be repaid. Cooperation is one of the founding principles of electric cooperatives. It is what makes us different from other utilities.”

The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association provides legislative and communication support for Tennessee’s 23 electric cooperatives and publishes The Tennessee Magazine, the state’s most widely circulated periodical. Visit tnelectric.org or tnmagazine.org to learn more.

Assisting Clay Electric Cooperative in Keystone Heights, Florida:

• 11 lineworkers from Appalachian Electric Cooperative, New Market
• 12 lineworkers from Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation, Clarksville
• eight lineworkers from Duck River Electric Membership Corporation, Shelbyville
• eight lineworkers from Fayetteville Public Utilities, Fayetteville
• 12 lineworkers from Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation, Murfreesboro
• 15 lineworkers from Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation, Carthage

Assisting Berkley Electric Cooperative near Charleston, South Carolina:

• 10 lineworkers from Plateau Electric Cooperative, Onieda
• 11 lineworkers from Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative, South Pittsburg