Florida PSC Urges Patience as Utilities Work to Restore Power

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Sept. 13 -- The Florida Public Service Commission issued the following news release:

Be patient, Florida, as electric utilities work to restore power following Hurricane Irma, urges the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC), which regulates the state's investor-owned utilities.

"Florida's utilities are working around-the-clock to get families, businesses, and communities back to normal," said PSC Chairman Julie Brown said. "Coordination between utilities throughout Florida and other states means tens of thousands of workers are on-the-ground helping speed restoration efforts as quickly and safely as possible.

"Following completion of safe restoration efforts, all stakeholders, including the PSC, and other stakeholder agencies, will assess restoration performance and any opportunities and/or needs for improvement."

The PSC reminds Floridians that utilities must try to restore power to the largest number of customers as safely and quickly as possible and follow a systematic protocol.

* They have to first repair power plants and damaged transmission lines and substations;

* They then restore power to critical facilitates such as hospitals, police and fire stations,

communications facilities, water treatment plants, and transportation providers;

* They work to return service to major complexes housing grocery stories, pharmacies, gas stations, and other community services; and

* They also simultaneously concentrate on restoring service to neighborhoods, ensuring that every resident and business has power.

For consumers needing assistance, please first call your utility. If you need further assistance, the PSC's toll-free consumer assistance line is 1-800-342-3552. Or, you can visit the PSC's website at www.FloridaPSC.com.

For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.

Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.