SYRACUSE — National Grid has been named a recipient of four Edison Electric Institute Emergency Recovery and Response Awards for the company’s exceptional achievements in restoring power to customers in upstate New York and assisting other New York utilities in recovering power. the service after a series of wind, ice and snow storms hit the region earlier this year.
“Over the past year, electric utilities have been confronted with severe storms and extreme weather events, including hurricanes, tornadoes and winter storms, that hit customers and communities across the country,” said EEI president Tom Kuhn.
“Despite the challenging conditions, National Grid and its employees have been working around the clock to restore power safely and as quickly as possible,” Kuhn said.
“I congratulate and applaud National Grid and its employees for their continued dedication to the customers and communities they serve, and I am honored to present them with this well-deserved award,” added the EEI president.
National Grid was recognized for recovery efforts after two recent, damaging storms, the announcement said.
In April 2022, thousands of National Grid employees worked around the clock after a persistent winter storm brought up to 10 inches of heavy sleet and wind gusts over 50 mph to the region, affecting more than 220,000 customers.
The utility also received recognition for its achievements after a December 2021 storm ravaged the region with heavy rain and gusts of over 80 mph in some areas.
That storm also affected more than 220,000 of the company’s 1.5 million electricity customers.
EEI also credited National Grid employees for providing mutual aid to neighboring utilities hit by severe storms in February and March 2022.
“We are honored and grateful that the hard work and dedication of the men and women of National Grid are recognized by Edison Electric Institute,” said Brian Gemmell, chief operating officer for electrical operations, National Grid New York.
“It is a testament to the tremendous effort of our team in New York State and their commitment to excellence and serving our customers,” added Gemmell.
The Emergency Response Awards recognize electrical utility recovery and relief efforts after service interruptions caused by extreme weather or other natural events.
The winners were chosen by a jury following an international nomination process, and according to the announcement, the awards were presented this week at EEI’s annual thought leadership forum.