By: Adina Ferguson
If you’re a little overwhelmed by this season’s winter wonderland, you’re not alone. Mother Nature’s rebellious spirit has gifted rounds of snow and sheets of ice since Thanksgiving. And while catching a flight to somewhere warmer is probably not one of her New Year’s resolutions, we know there’s more ahead.
So, how do we keep the lights on across Michigan when messy winter weather is in tow? Our type C personality keeps us prepared and actively problem-solving well ahead of the conditions.
One Band, One Sound
Our crews in the field and behind the scenes are instrumental in our efforts to deliver safe, reliable
energy during the winter months. From field leaders and line workers to damage assessors, wire guards, forestry and gas workers, customer service reps and dispatchers, communications, and everyone in between, powering through inclement weather isn’t a one-person act. It takes the work of many who must immediately shift gears when duty calls.
We’re constantly monitoring the weather around the state. So, when the forecasts are correct, as the saying goes, “If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.” Our storm trailers are stocked with equipment and supplies to restore power to impacted areas. Our mobile command center allows leaders to support their crews remotely, and our Contact Centers are operated by compassionate, knowledgeable team members available to answer your calls.
Getting Techie With It
Modern technology has become this energy provider’s new best friend. While you’ve probably seen Spot, our robotic canine, last year’s investment in state-of-the-art resources, like infrared cameras and automatic transfer reclosers (ATRs), allows us to keep a pulse on our electric system and prevent outages, lessen the number of neighbors impacted, and quickly fix issues on blue sky days and icy, snowy ones.
Do You Want to Build a Snowman (Over a Powerline)?
ICYMI: Last year, we buried 12 miles of overhead electric lines. That’s no small feat! This year, we’re on a
mission to bury roughly 35 miles of lines. It’s another way you can count on us to keep the lights on when your child’s snow fairy wreaks havoc on roads, trees and energy sources. More buried lines mean dependable service and fewer outages caused by weather, vehicles and wildlife.
And remember, before you build or plant, always practice safe digging. Call 8-1-1 or visit missdig811.org three working days before you build, plant or dig to have underground utility lines marked. No snowmen were harmed in the making of this article.
Guess Who’s Home for the Winter
Speaking of wildlife, have you heard any furry guitar-slinging creatures covering Ryan Hurd’s “Michigan for the Winter”? Neither have we. LOL. But the fact is, squirrels call Michigan home just the same. While harmless on the surface, 8% of the time, these creatures cause significant damage to our substations and equipment, leading to unexpected outages.
We’ve upgraded our infrastructures with polycarbonate barriers and pole wraps to prevent them and
other wildlife from accidentally coming into contact with our substations and electric lines. The next time you see a squirrel, there’s no need to sing the blues. Our mitigation resources won’t leave you in the dark, like a starfish under a rock.
When you see our crews digging, trimming, building, or rewiring in your neighborhood, that’s our Reliability Roadmap in action. The same goes for the devices and steps you may not see. Keeping the lights on in your neighborhood means year-round planning, maintenance and upgrades, adopting new technology, and answering the call when the predicted and unexpected occurs.
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