Baltimore Gas and Electric Company Continues to Monitor Hurricane Frances
September 04 2004 - 2:40PM
PR Newswire (US)
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company Continues to Monitor Hurricane
Frances Customers Urged to Prepare for the Possibility of Power
Outages As Remnants of Frances Pass Through Region Next Week
BALTIMORE, Sept. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Baltimore Gas and Electric
Company (BGE), a subsidiary of Constellation Energy (NYSE:CEG),
today announced that it is making available certain contractor and
a limited number of company personnel to assist Florida utilities
with power restoration efforts in the wake of Hurricane Frances.
Additionally, BGE continues to monitor Frances as it approaches the
eastern United States, and continues to urge its customers to use
the long Labor Day holiday weekend to prepare for the possibility
of power outages should remnants of the storm affect the BGE
service territory toward the end of next week. "The only thing
predictable about a hurricane is its unpredictability," said
Kenneth W. DeFontes, vice president of electric transmission and
distribution for BGE, and recently named to succeed Frank O. Heintz
as president and chief executive officer of the utility, effective
Oct. 1. "While Frances is not expected to have nearly the same
impact on BGE's Central Maryland service territory as it will in
Florida, it still could bring high wind and heavy rain by the time
it reaches our area. This along with an already moist soil could
result in tree limbs and even whole trees toppling onto BGE
overhead lines as well as impact its underground power lines. With
that in mind, it's important our customers take steps now to
prepare for the possibility of power outages." BGE has been in
close contact with other East Coast utilities, especially those in
Florida, and as part of an existing mutual assistance network, is
making available more than 150 contractor and a limited number of
company personnel to assist with restoration activities. They
include contract tree and overhead line personnel as well as
company transmission line and logistics personnel. BGE will
continue to work closely with southern utilities to determine what
additional BGE resources could be re-deployed in response to
Hurricane Frances while maintaining its own ability to respond to
any impact on Central Maryland. The utility also continues to make
its own preparations in accordance with its existing severe impact
storm plan, which is exercised annually. To better help customers
prepare for this and other storms, BGE recommends its customers
consider the following: * Keep emergency telephone numbers in a
convenient location along with the following items: portable radio
with fresh batteries, flashlights, corded telephone, bottled water,
manual can opener, matches, battery- operated or wind-up clock,
canned and dried food, first aid kit, fuses, and Sterno. * During a
loss of power, call BGE at 1-877-778-2222 to report the outage. Do
not assume the utility is aware of the outage simply because of a
loss of power. * Avoid downed wires and trees. Immediately, report
downed wires to BGE at the number above and warn others to stay
away. * If dependent upon electrically powered medical equipment,
make alternate arrangements NOW in the event electric service is
interrupted. * Take steps to keep perishable food and medicine
cold, including keeping freezers and refrigerators closed as much
as possible. BGE reminds its customers that in order to better
support restoration efforts, BGE is no longer distributing dry ice.
* Disconnect sensitive electronic equipment such as computers and
televisions to avoid surge damage. (Surges can occur at other
times, so customers may want to consider purchasing surge
protectors for sensitive equipment.) * Though the exact path of
Frances is unclear, high wind could occur. Customers should secure
or move inside items that may become projectiles during high wind.
* If on a well system, fill bathtubs with cold water. * Stay at
home or seek shelter if a storm is approaching. If outside in any
severe weather event, stay away from trees and metal objects. BGE
is a member of Constellation Energy (NYSE:CEG), a Fortune 500
integrated energy company based in Baltimore. Constellation Energy
is the nation's leading competitive supplier of electricity to
large commercial and industrial customers. It owns and operates a
diversified fleet of 35 power plants in 12 states. Additionally,
Constellation Energy markets energy nationally and manages the
associated risks, providing value-added services for its customers.
The company also delivers electricity and natural gas through the
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), its regulated utility in
Central Maryland. In 2003, the combined revenues of the integrated
energy company totaled $9.7 billion. DATASOURCE: Baltimore Gas and
Electric Company CONTACT: Robert L. Gould and Linda J. Foy, both of
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, +1-410-234-7433 Web site:
http://www.constellation.com/ Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/084087.html
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