COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) — Despite the hurricane season having started nearly two months ago, utility companies in South Carolina are proactively preparing for potential storms.
The South Carolina Emergency Management Division along with companies like Santee Cooper, Dominion and Duke Energy know hurricanes all too well.
“We pride ourselves on learning from every event that we respond to,” said Ryan Mosier, a spokesman for Duke Energy.
Santee Cooper leaders have implemented smart meters in almost every customer’s home. These devices alert utility companies when power outages occur.
“Typically, these smart meters inform us when there’s an outage in your neighborhood or at your home, enabling us to respond efficiently,” stated Tracy Vreeland of Santee Cooper. “This upgrade, implemented over the past few years, has been highly beneficial.”
Dominion Energy said they are replacing potentially broken wooden poles with steel ones and are implementing new technology.
“[It] allows us to better remotely control power and switch it around,” said Matt Long, a spokesman for Dominion Energy. “For instance, a line was to be damaged by a fallen tree, we can use this technology to root it around the damage and therefore, reduce the impact from that tree falling and help our customers.”
Meanwhile, Duke Energy is continuing to work on satellite communication and strengthening their grid.
“We want to make sure that we get communications out there. We get the word out there before a major event, and that we’re responding as quickly and safely as we can,” Mosier said.
Energy companies said the preparation process is year-round.
“Throughout the year, our crews will be out in the field working with contractors to trim back vegetation, maintain the lines to make sure that reduce the likelihood of that,” Long said.
All three companies said even though it is hurricane season, it’s never too late to prepare.
“We encourage our customers to do year-round, but especially as we move into hurricane season, is just to be aware and to be ready to make sure that you and your family, your business, is prepared for the potential of an extended outage because, it happens,” Mosier said.
To find out more information from utility companies, head to their websites — Santee Cooper, Dominion Energy, and Duke Energy.
