The great storm of 2014 gave everyone a good chance to be thankful for the linemen with our utilities around the state who have been working through the bad weather to get the power back on. The state's 21 public power utilities have been sharing resources to send help where it's needed.
The storm also meant little activity in the General Assembly this week. The House had a scheduled furlough and the Senate didn't meet because of the storm. This week's From the Dome to Your Home outlines two budget provisos passed by a Ways and Means subcommittee this week that affect cities and towns. Look for a slammed committee schedule next week.
The workshop for local government reporters hosted by the Municipal Association, the SC Press Association and the SC Broadcasters Association scheduled for Feb. 13 had to be postponed until April 24 because of the storm. Check out the SCPA site for details.
The Post and Courier's Robert Behre gives City Connect a shout out in today's paper.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Thursday, February 13, 2014
When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going
When the going gets tough the tough get going. That's an apt description of how mutual aid among the 21 municipal power systems works.
On a conference call this morning with the members of the SC Association of Municipal Power Systems, Orangeburg and Bamberg were the only utilities reporting a need for assistance. Both cities were hit hard very hard and outages are increasing. Orangeburg estimates four days of work if the situation doesn't get worse.
But we're seeing outstanding response around the state from other SCAMPS members offering aid to Orangeburg and Bamberg. Easley has sent seven men and equipment to Bamberg while Greer, Rock Hill, Union and Greenwood will have men and equipment in Orangeburg by the end of the day. Plus utilities in Florida and Georgia have offered assistance if needed.
While the storm has brought challenges, it also illustrates the importance of a strong mutual aid plan among these municipal utilities.
On a conference call this morning with the members of the SC Association of Municipal Power Systems, Orangeburg and Bamberg were the only utilities reporting a need for assistance. Both cities were hit hard very hard and outages are increasing. Orangeburg estimates four days of work if the situation doesn't get worse.
But we're seeing outstanding response around the state from other SCAMPS members offering aid to Orangeburg and Bamberg. Easley has sent seven men and equipment to Bamberg while Greer, Rock Hill, Union and Greenwood will have men and equipment in Orangeburg by the end of the day. Plus utilities in Florida and Georgia have offered assistance if needed.
While the storm has brought challenges, it also illustrates the importance of a strong mutual aid plan among these municipal utilities.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Just Another Day at the Office for Municipal Utility Workers
With the bad weather all over the state today, it makes sense to think about the utility, public service and public safety personnel in our cities and towns who are keeping us safe.
Did you know that in South Carolina, 21 cities and towns own their electric utility? They are all members of an affiliate organization of the Municipal Association called the SC Association of Municipal Power Companies. SCAMPS was originally founded to provide mutual aid to fellow cities in times of emergency in situations like we are experiencing this week but has grown to include training and advocacy.
Today, the utility directors in our SCAMPS cities are surely hard at work getting power back on. But if you want to know more about what a utility director does on a regular day, read this article from Uptown to get a sense of the variety of responsibilities a utility director has.
Linemen are also important players in the utility business. Each year, SCAMPS sponsors and lineman training and competition for member cities. Read more about the various events in this Uptown article.
Stay safe and dry!
Did you know that in South Carolina, 21 cities and towns own their electric utility? They are all members of an affiliate organization of the Municipal Association called the SC Association of Municipal Power Companies. SCAMPS was originally founded to provide mutual aid to fellow cities in times of emergency in situations like we are experiencing this week but has grown to include training and advocacy.
Today, the utility directors in our SCAMPS cities are surely hard at work getting power back on. But if you want to know more about what a utility director does on a regular day, read this article from Uptown to get a sense of the variety of responsibilities a utility director has.
Linemen are also important players in the utility business. Each year, SCAMPS sponsors and lineman training and competition for member cities. Read more about the various events in this Uptown article.
Stay safe and dry!