Corn Belt Energy works to address extensive outages caused by winter storm

 

[February 12, 2019] 

Tuesday, February 12, 2019 — Heavy ice and high winds are the cause of power outages impacting Corn Belt Energy cooperative members today. Over 63 locations that include over 2,400 members throughout Corn Belt Energy’s service territory remain without power due to severe weather conditions. The extensive outages include several substations, broken poles, and downed lines. Upstream transmission issues feeding power to Corn Belt Energy’s local distribution system are also causing a delay in power restoration to members.

“Crews are encountering 1/4” to ½” of ice on lines, 30+ mph winds, white out conditions, and accessibility issues due to icy roadways,” said Steve Hancock, Vice President of Electric Distribution.

Corn Belt Energy crews have been actively engaged in the restoration process since approximately 3:00 am this morning. “Initially the outages were localized in the Princeton area and now are widespread from east to west throughout our northern service territory. Early this morning, we experienced many tree related issues causing downed lines. However, as the day progressed most of the outages have been individual outages with lines down and broken poles due to the ice and wind,” stated Hancock.

Crews from our central region as well as Shelby Electric Cooperative and Menard Electric Cooperative are on their way to assist us in outage restoration efforts.

Corn Belt Energy encourages members to check on neighbors who may be without power, especially the elderly and those with physical limitations. We urge members who are concerned about prolonged outages to find an alternative location to stay such as a relative or friend’s home or a local warming center.

 

We encourage members to contact us at 1-800-879-0339 to report power outages and downed lines or poles.

As a reminder, people should not go near any downed power lines, downed poles, or trees near lines.

To check for outage updates, members can call 1-800-879-0339 or use their cell phone to view outage updates at www.cornbeltenergy.com 

About Corn Belt Energy

Started in 1938 to bring electricity to rural Central Illinois, Corn Belt Energy Corporation now distributes electricity to over 36,000 households and businesses throughout 18 counties. One of the largest cooperatives in Illinois, Corn Belt Energy employs 85 people, maintains over 5,000 miles of line, and distributes electricity from the Wabash Valley Power Association, a generation and transmission cooperative based in Indiana. As a not-for-profit energy cooperative, Corn Belt Energy is owned by the members it serves and is committed to providing reliable, affordable energy. Governed by 13 directors who are themselves residential members, Corn Belt also supports energy efficiency, education, and safety initiatives. Learn more at www.cornbeltenergy.com.

[Hillary Cherry, CCC
Director of Communications & Marketing
Corn Belt Energy Corporation]