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GUC Assists Massachusetts Utility
November 1, 2011

A team of more than 30 workers loaded up 18 trucks October 31and began the 15-hour drive to Westfield, Massachusetts to assist with restoration efforts after a snowstorm this weekend. More than 500,000 homes and businesses across that state were still without power Monday, with millions more across the region.  

"Every person whose lights are out is important to us because we know they are suffering and cold,” said Jeff Byrd, Electric Distribution Engineer. “They can't fix their meals. Their lives have been disrupted because the power's out. It doesn’t matter whether it’s millions or just one. People need electricity, and we’re there to help."

As a publicly-owned utility, GUC is part of a network of other municipal systems that have mutual aid agreements designed to offer a helping hand during urgent situations such as these. Just recently, following Hurricane Irene, Greenville Utilities was on the receiving end of this assistance when crews from Huntsville, Alabama and Fayetteville travelled to assist us.

“We frequently provide this kind of assistance,” said Roger Jones, Director of GUC’s Electric Department. “It gives us the chance to help another community, and it is also a great training opportunity for our crews that pays off back home.”