Q.
Why do I have trouble getting a call through during a power outage?
A. When you're calling to report an outage, hundreds of other people may
be trying to do the same. Please be patient, we will answer your call as
soon as possible. Remember the number to call to report an outage is (330)
684-5045.
Q. Why can't you tell me specifically when my power will be restored?
A. Unless the cause and extent of an outage are obvious, it takes us some
time to determine the extent of the damage and outage. The problems are
also compounded during winter storms when access can be limited. Our priority
is simply to get your power back on, and not to guess about the time frame
it may happen.
Q. My neighbors have power - why don't I?
A. Sometimes there's a blown fuse in a transformer or damage done to the
line servicing your home. But we also may have to isolate a small section
of the line to work on a problem, even while power has been restored to
other parts of the same line.
Q. Do certain customers get priority in having power restored after an
outage?
A. Generally, no. We start with the biggest problems and work our way down.
Depending on the extent of the outage emergency service providers, such
as police and fire departments as well as medical facilities take precedent.
We also make special efforts to customers on life support.
Q. Why does it take so long to get power back?
A. During major outages that affect many areas of the city and surrounding
area, we have to attack all the problems methodically and make sure we're
doing it in a safe manner. The time it takes to repair problems is directly
related to the extent of the damage.
Q. Why can't you prevent outages from occurring in the first place?
A. We do our best during non-emergency time to maintain and upgrade our
entire electric system. But now system is built to withstand falling trees,
branches across lings or severe weather. A well maintained system will
prevent some outages but it cannot prevent all outages.
Q. Why don't you just bury all power lines, or at least put them underground
in the areas most prone to outages?
A. Underground power lines cost up to 3 times as much to install as overhead
lines. Because of larger stretches of lines in rural areas, where outages
most frequently occur, it would cost customers to much to put in underground
service. Underground lines also have unique maintenance problems, so installing
them doesn't make the customers immune to outages.
