Two lineworkers from the Peabody Municipal Light Plant traveled to Georgia to assist with repairs due to damage from Hurricane Helene. Working Supervisor and Lineworker, Kevin MacGregor, Lead Lineworker and Troubleworker, Ed Melo, left on Friday, Sept. 27 in PMLP’s Truck 58 for the Crisp County Power Commission in Cordele, Georgia.
PMLP was called upon by the Northeast Public Power Association’s (NEPPA) Mutual Aid Network in an effort to get power restored to the thousands of people affected in the Cordele service area. Like many other utilities, PMLP was able to support the request.
“Mutual aid is an important investment in public power and other municipalities around the country. We are all partners,” said Joe Anastasi, general manager at PMLP. “When natural disaster or other catastrophic events happen, utilities in cities and towns do what we do best… Help get power restored to customers.”
Mutual aid is fully paid for by the requesting utility so there is no expense to the ratepayers of Peabody. The important resources provided are the people who are needed to restore power as quickly as possible. Although PMLP has not requested mutual aid, being a part of this network assures that Peabody and South Lynnfield will have support should it ever face such a disaster.
Peabody is one of 29 public power utilities in the NEPPA network that are assisting. Other local communities include Danvers, Wakefield, Rowley, Middleton, and Reading.
PMLP is the community-owned, not-for-profit electric utility serving residents and businesses in Peabody and South Lynnfield.