FPL sends workers to help Puerto Rico restore power

WEST PALM BEACH — Florida Power & Light Co. line workers and support staff departed this week from Palm Beach International Airport for Puerto Rico to help restore power to areas impacted by Hurricane Maria.

Hundreds of thousands of people remain without electric service nearly four months after the storm devastated the island. FPL sent 140 workers who will stay as long as needed.

“As part of FPL’s commitment to helping restore electric service to our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico, our dedicated employees worked tirelessly throughout the holidays — both on the island and here at home — to prepare for this next wave of support,” said Eric Silagy, FPL’s president and CEO.

All of the island’s 3.5 million residents lost power in the late September storm. FPL line workers and staff are part of a nearly 1,500-person contingent of electric workers from across the country. In late December, FPL began to transport vehicles and electric equipment via barges to Puerto Rico from the Port of Fort Pierce.

The company’s line workers and support staff will work with a 10-person FPL team that has been in Puerto Rico since Dec. 10.

FPL employees represent one of seven teams assigned to seven regions across the island in coordination with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and electric company contractors who already are restoring power. FPL’s team will continue to support power restoration in the region of Bayamon, just west of San Juan.

FPL’s support of power restoration in Puerto Rico began after the company completed its own restoration in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. In the days immediately following Hurricane Maria, NextEra Energy, FPL’s parent company, donated $100,000 and matched the same amount from employee donations to help those affected by the storm. Many employees also held fundraisers and supply drives.

Operationally, FPL coordinated the delivery of thousands of power line poles and other equipment to Puerto Rico.

CONTRIBUTED Bryan Olnick, vice president of distribution operations for Florida Power & Light Co., thanks company lineworkers Monday as they prepare to leave Palm Beach International Airport for work restoring power in Puerto Rico. FPL is sending 140 workers, who...