How We Restore Power

When an outage occurs, our crews work diligently and strategically to restore power as safely and quickly as possible. We follow a prioritized process to maximize efficiency and bring power back to the largest number of members in the shortest amount of time.

1. Public Safety First: Our absolute first priority is public safety. Crews are dispatched immediately to address hazards such as downed power lines on roadways or other dangerous situations.

2. Substation Restoration: We then focus on restoring power to substations. These critical points can restore service to hundreds or even thousands of members at once, often by simply replacing a fuse.

3. Major Distribution Feeders: Next, our crews repair the main distribution feeder lines. These are the large lines that originate from a substation and carry power to major sections of our service territory. If these lines are not energized, no homes can receive power from them.

4. Tap Lines: Once the main feeders are operational, we move to repairing tap lines. These lines branch off from the distribution feeders and carry power to smaller groups of homes. You might notice your neighbors' lights come on before yours if their tap line is repaired first.

5. Individual Service Lines: Finally, our crews address individual service lines that bring power directly from the tap line to your home. Please note: WH is responsible for getting electricity to your meter. However, the mast on your house (the pipe where wires run down to the meter panel) is the homeowner's responsibility. If this part is damaged (e.g., by a tree), you will need to contact a qualified electrician for repairs before WH can connect power.