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

 

[January 03, 2021] 

Corn Belt Energy continues to make progress on outage restoration in the wake of a winter storm where heavy ice, snow and strong winds wreaked havoc on our service territory. Downed lines and broken poles as well as trees falling and burning power lines are examples of the types of storm damage we are encountering.

Corn Belt Energy continues to make safety and restoration of power a top priority. Corn Belt Energy has approximately 2,500 co-op members remaining without power.

Corn Belt Energy crews have been actively engaged in the restoration process since the morning of January 1. “Initially the outages were localized in the western portion of our service area and now are surfacing in all areas of our service territory,” said Steve Hancock, Vice President of Electric Distribution.

Corn Belt Energy has crews from both regions working to restore power as well as crews from our sister cooperatives, Clinton County Electric Cooperative, Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative, EnerStar Electric Cooperative, Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative and Shelby Electric Cooperative. Other cooperatives were brought in as early as Friday evening and their help has made a big difference.

“Crews are currently encountering 1/4” and more ice on lines and accessibility issues due to snowy and icy roadways and access areas. Although we are working 24/7 to restore power the weather is still largely impacting our restoration efforts as icy conditions remain an issue and any additional wind gusts could cause more damage to our system. Wind in combination with the ice may cause blinks as well as further outages,” said Hancock.

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 Alliance, 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]