Workers trying real hard to restore power in Cleveland

CLEVELAND –Today,under the direction of Mayor Frank G. Jackson, Cleveland Public Power  (CPP)  officials  are  meeting  with  staff  of  The  Illuminating  Company  (CEI)  to discussmutual  aid  options that  will  result  inrelief  to  Cleveland  residents.CPP  which  is owned by the City of Cleveland is on pace to have all of theircustomer's power restored by tomorrow, freeing up crews to join FirstEnergy’s effort to restore power back to CEI customers in the City of Cleveland.

CEI has 650 linemen working this storm onbehalf of their customers.  Of that total,45 crews, or more than 100 linemen,have been devoted exclusively to restoration efforts inCleveland. These efforts have paid off today,as those crews have restored power to more than10,000 customers in Cleveland proper.

More help is on the way:

•    Line men will be coming from as far awayas Colorado, Idaho, and Montana.

•    CEI is receiving assistance from local Ohio utilities including CPP and contractors including Duke, DP&Land NIPSCO.

CEI status report and strategy- Cleveland:

•    71,000+ originally lost power in the City of Cleveland

•    45,000 already restored

•    26,500 still with out power

•    Will restore 9,000 by midnight

•    Will restore 8,000 Thursday and Friday

•    Will restore final 9,500 by Sunday morning

•    Power at the pumping stations has been restored or being worked on

•    45 line crews(about 100 linemen)now on the ground in Cleveland

•    50 additional hazards assessors on the ground