Xcel Energy Inc : Xcel Energy sends crews to Iowa and Wisconsin

MINNEAPOLIS - In response to requests for assistance, Xcel Energy today deployed crews to Iowa and Wisconsin to help restore electricity service in the wake of the Midwest blizzard.

Twelve employees and one manager volunteered to deploy this morning from the Twin Cities to help restore electricity service in the Des Moines, Iowa, area damaged by the severe winter storm. The crews will join up with four workers from Faribault and Mankato before heading south. Xcel Energy received a request from Mid-American Energy to help restore service to an estimated 9,500 customers in the Des Moines area. Travel conditions in Iowa continue to be difficult. The Iowa State Patrol will be assisting Xcel Energy's crews as they drive though the state.

In a separate mutual aid deployment, eight Xcel Energy employees and one manager departed from Eau Claire, Wis., this morning. They will join up with two workers in Sparta before traveling to Madison. The crews will assist Madison Gas and Electric in restoring service to an estimated 1,800 customers.

Utilities maintain mutual aid agreements and routinely assist each other when storms cause massive destruction resulting in widespread, lengthy service outages. The utility requesting aid reimburses the utility whose crews are sent to help. Xcel Energy sends crews after assessing its own situation and ensuring it has adequate resources to respond to routine and emergency issues in its service territories.