Oncor Prepares for Icy Weather

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Carol Peters or Jeamy Molina, Oncor communications, 972.791.6200

Oncor Prepares For Icy Weather

DALLAS (Jan.26, 2009)—With near-freezing temperatures in the forecast, Oncor has begun preparations for possible icy conditions by keeping a close eye on the weather and alerting crews to be ready to restore power.

In the event of a major power outage, Oncor’s first priority is to restore electricity to emergency public service agencies, such as police and fire departments, and hospitals. The next priority is to restore power safely to as many customers as possible with each repair.

Consumers are urged to follow these helpful tips to stay safe and speed restoration:

Safety

Always avoid downed power lines. Any downed line should be considered energized and therefore dangerous. Report downed lines immediately by calling the number on your electric bill and stay out of the immediate area. If you are trapped inside a vehicle, stay inside the car. Call 911 for assistance.

Avoid debris that may conceal downed power lines and make sure there are no downed lines before allowing children out to play.

Steer clear of Oncor crew work areas. Equipment and energized lines may be in the area that could create a safety hazard. When driving, watch for crews working along the roadways, and obey all traffic signs and directions around work areas.

Don’t attempt to make repairs to Oncor’s electrical system or pull limbs off lines.

Be careful when using portable heaters or other supplemental heating. Never place heaters near flammable materials or where they might tip over. Use fire screens to prevent sparks and embers from causing problems.

Exercise extreme caution if using candles during a power outage. Always keep candles away from flammable objects and never leave them burning unattended.


Restoration

If your power goes out, don’t assume the electric company knows – call the phone number on your electric bill.

Leave porch lights on to show Oncor crews where power has been restored.

Be patient. When major outages occur, Oncor crews focus on restoring power to transmission lines and distribution lines that feed neighborhoods before working on distribution lines that feed directly to homes and businesses. However, be assured that Oncor crews are working as quickly and safely as possible to restore power to customers.

To be prepared, keep flashlights, battery-operated radios, and a supply of food and water close by.


If the weather interrupts electrical service, customers are urged to call the number on their electric bill. This line is answered by an automated system designed to handle power outage calls. The most efficient way for customers to report outages is to leave all information on this system.

Oncor is a regulated electric distribution and transmission business that uses superior asset management skills to provide reliable electricity delivery to consumers. Oncor operates the largest distribution and transmission system in Texas, providing power to 3 million electric delivery points over more than 102,000 miles of distribution and 14,000 miles of transmission lines. While Oncor is owned by a limited number of investors (including majority owner, Energy Future Holdings Corp.), Oncor is managed by its Board of Directors, which is comprised of a majority of independent directors.