SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Task Force Power Restoration, in a joint effort with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, launched a mass distribution of over 200,000 pieces of power restoration materials Jan. 13 and 14 to contractors throughout the island.
“We have been working for months to get to this point and now we have a large amount of steady materials arriving every week,” said TF Power Restoration Commander Col. John Lloyd. “USACE knew from the start materials would be our biggest challenge and with the increase in capacity of materials, our partners are also increasing personnel to speed up power restoration efforts for the people of Puerto Rico.”
The push comes in coordination with the arrival of nearly 1,500 additional restoration workers and support personnel, throughout January, from across the electric power companies in the U.S.
In addition, PREPA issued a request to USACE to increase its capacity to provide the necessary assistance to accelerate the restoration. Along with more materials arriving to the island, USACE contractors are bringing an additional 1,000 personnel to support the request.
USACE and PREPA have distributed over 300,000 pieces of materials as of Jan. 12. Materials vary from concrete, wood, and steel poles to cable, transformers and bolts.
USACE has over 381 different items of materials on order in support of power restoration efforts.
USACE Task Force Power Restoration has published an article describing the material/logistical process and challenges. Hyperlink:
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/261985/bom-squad-scours-two-continents-acquire-critical-power-grid-materials-puerto-rico-recovery
Release no. 18-011