NORTHERN MICHIGAN – Great Lakes Energy (GLE) and Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-Op (PIE&G) report significant progress in power restoration following the catastrophic late-March ice storm that devastated large portions of rural Northern Michigan. Both cooperatives anticipate restoring power to the vast majority of their members in the coming days.
GLE expects near-complete restoration by Sunday, April 13, following extensive efforts to rebuild infrastructure and reactivate main power lines. Crews are now concentrating on isolated, difficult-to-access areas.
“Our team has been working diligently in some hard-to-reach areas to ensure our members have power restored as soon as possible,” said Shaun Lamp, President and CEO of Great Lakes Energy. “These crew members have shown incredible tenacity and grit while making critical repairs to our grid, which sustained severe storm damage.”
At PIE&G, the storm caused an unprecedented system-wide outage. Restoration is expected to be largely complete by Monday, April 14, aside from seasonal residences that remain inaccessible due to storm debris or blocked roads.
“You have to see the damage to believe it — we can’t go more than a few miles without needing to make a repair or full replacement,” said Allan Berg, CEO of PIE&G. “Our crews are working through miles of broken wire and more than a thousand damaged poles, often deep in wooded and remote areas.”
Both utilities expressed gratitude for ongoing support from local and state officials, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and House Speaker Matt Hall, who met with the president this week to advocate for federal recovery assistance.
Restoration Progress as of April 10
Great Lakes Energy (GLE)
• 93% of members restored (3,470 members restored Wednesday)
• 1,789 poles replaced
• 3,410 miles of line restored
• Over 1,100 vehicles and equipment deployed
• 1,208 line workers and 250+ tree workers in the field
Presque Isle Electric & Gas (PIE&G)
• 72% of members restored (25,211 members)
• 1,144 poles replaced
• 1,263 miles of line restored
• 360 crews and 1,293 personnel active in the field
Note: Detailed information from Consumers Energy customers is not available at the current time.
Graphic courtesy of ADOBE
