The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) presents their Emergency Response Award to EEI member companies twice a year. This year, two AEP operating companies were recipients when the award was presented in January. Appalachian Power and Public Service Company of Oklahoma each were recognized for their response to major weather events.
Appalachian Power
APCo was honored for their recovery and assistance efforts during Hurricane Helene, which happened in September 2024. This award comes just five months after receiving the same award last year for their response during a historic weather event in April 2024.
Hurricane Helene is considered the most destructive storm to strike Appalachian Power's three-state service area since the 2012 derecho. It was also the deadliest hurricane to hit the mainland U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Approximately 282,000 homes and businesses lost electric service, including nearly 176,000 in Virginia, 85,000 in West Virginia and more than 21,000 in Tennessee.
Over 10 days, crews put in an estimated 1 million hours of work to rebuild the company's heavily damaged grid. Workers faced historic flooding, fallen trees and debris, and road and bridge closures to restore service. In total, crews replaced 1,485 poles, including 100 by helicopter, 214 miles of wire and 471 transformers, among thousands of other critical pieces of electrical infrastructure.
"We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped us restore power following Hurricane Helene, including the line workers from 27 states who answered our call for mutual assistance," said Aaron Walker, Appalachian Power president and chief operating officer. "This award reflects Appalachian Power's team's commitment to the communities we serve, and I commend EEI for recognizing the hard work of our employees and business partners."
Public Service Company of Oklahoma
PSO received the EEI Emergency Response Award for their exemplary response to the Barnsdall Tornado in May 2024.
On May 6, an EF-4 tornado with winds reaching up to 175 mph hit Barnsdall, Oklahoma, causing widespread destruction to homes and businesses. The tornado also severely damaged the town's electrical grid, leaving behind bent steel structures, hundreds of snapped poles and broken wires.
PSO crews, consisting of about 650 linemen, forestry personnel, and support staff worked tirelessly to restore power to more than 8,000 customers.
It took crews only 3 days to repair 99% of the damage.
“This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication our crews put into storm restoration, working around the clock to restore power to a community after a devastating tornado,” said Leigh Anne Strahler, PSO president and chief operating officer. “In a matter of days, the electrical grid was virtually rebuilt from the ground up, work that was made much easier with the support of community leaders and first responders.”