Local Oncor Crews Move To NJ To Help Restore Power
NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Hundreds of electrical workers from North Texas are starting their second week in the northeast. Workers are helping restore power to the areas hit hard by Superstorm Sandy.
Initially, the 500 Texas electricians and contractors assisted crews with Baltimore Gas & Electric. Now the group has moved north to New Jersey. While the needed repairs are specific, they're something North Texas workers are familiar with.
"Our crews are use to hurricane restoration efforts like this," Oncor spokesperson Kris Spears explained. "They [workers] went through [Hurricanes] Katrina, and Irene, and Isaac."
As it stands, power has been restored to about 2 million New Jersey residents. Monday morning more than 2,000 of the state's school reopened, with many others planning to do so later in the week.
There have been reports about conflicts between union workers in New Jersey and volunteer electricians from other states, but Spears said Texas workers have been welcomed. "Oncor has not seen any of that. We've been met with open arms."
Just as residents and repair crews begin to make significant recovery progress, forecasters are watching a nor'easter that could bring more severe weather to New York and New Jersey on Wednesday or Thursday.
Workers with Oncor are prepared to stay on the Eastern Seaboard for at least one more week.
