E. ON US, based out of Kentucky, owns and operates the Louisville Gas and Electric Company (LG&E) and the Kentucky Utilities Company (KU). Remnants of Hurricane Ike caused power outages to approximately 75% of LG&E’s service territory.
Around 159,000 LG&E customers and 12,000 KU customers remain without electricity. About 44 Westar employees, including linemen, management, field supervisors, a safety co-ordinator, fleet support and material handlers have left for the operation from Kansas City area.
Westar crews will begin assisting with restoring rural circuits near Greenville, Kentucky. Westar crews that left on September 15, 2008, to assist with power restoration in Louisiana are now assisting with restoration efforts in Texas.
