Midamerican Energy Company recently issued the following announcement.
MidAmerican Energy Company today announced it will deliver and install emergency generators to western Iowa customers in flooded areas who are without electricity, live in homes that are not flooded, and whose homes are deemed safe for the temporary hookups.
This weekend, the company dispatched nearly 50 portable generators from Des Moines to a holding facility in Council Bluffs for delivery to qualified customers who request them. MidAmerican Energy transported generators in a new emergency response trailer that the company designed to assist its crews with restoring customers.
“The devastating flooding – particularly along the I-29 corridor – continues to affect our electric infrastructure and our customers in parts of western and southwestern Iowa,” Jim Dougherty, vice president of electric delivery, said. “While we can’t safely restore regular service to homes that are currently flooded or to some areas that are flooded, we want to give our customers a temporary option as long as they can meet certain conditions,” he added. “For a customer who requests it, we will install a portable generator if they don’t have power but are certified for service restoration following an inspection. Obviously, we have to be able to reach the property with our crews and equipment and make sure everything is safe.”
Customers must have inspection, safe access for generator installation
MidAmerican Energy customers who are eligible for an emergency generator must be without power due to area flooding, the home cannot be currently flooded and the customer must obtain a proper inspection and approval for electric service restoration. The property must be safely accessible.
Customers should contact their county emergency management office or appropriate city administrator about applicable state or local electrical inspection and certification requirements. If there are no local requirements, MidAmerican Energy requires a licensed electrician to conduct an inspection.
MidAmerican Energy will deliver and install a temporary generator and five-gallon fuel tank, free of charge, for use until the company restores their regular service. Customers are responsible for providing their own generator fuel.
“While a portable generator won’t provide the same capacity as what we provide through normal service, it enables customers to power lights, and also some appliances and devices,” Dougherty said. “We are working every day to fully restore service to all of our customers where it’s safe to do so. For some customers, this may be a way to get the lights back on – at least for now.”
Electrical inspections
If you are a MidAmerican Energy customer who needs an electrical inspection, contact the appropriate inspector for the jurisdiction in which you live.
Customers whose flood inspections are conducted by the state can find the appropriate inspector through an online directory available through the Electrical Licensing and Inspection Program in the State Fire Marshal Division of the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
The appropriate inspecting authorities are listed below. The State Fire Marshal Division conducts all electrical inspections at agricultural installations.
Customers with questions about state, county or city electrical inspections and requirements should contact the appropriate inspection authority for their jurisdiction.
•Adams County
oThe Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Fire Marshal Division conducts all electrical inspections in Adams County. State inspector: Chris Neuenkirk – Phone: 641-451-5118 Email: neuenkir@dps.state.ia.us
•Cass County
oThe Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Fire Marshal Division conducts all electrical inspections in Cass County. State inspector: Steve Nisser – Phone: 515-210-7294 Email: nisser@dps.state.ia.us
•Fremont County
oThe Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Fire Marshal Division conducts all electrical inspections in Fremont County. State inspector: Chris Neuenkirk – Phone: 641-451-5118 Email: neuenkir@dps.state.ia.us
•Harrison County
oThe Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Fire Marshal Division conducts all electrical inspections in Harrison County. State inspector: Errin Gunderson – Phone: 712-371-3058 Email: gunderso@dps.state.ia.us
oThe City of Missouri Valley conducts its own electrical inspections within city limits. Missouri Valley City Hall: 712-642-3502
•Mills County
oThe Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Fire Marshal Division conducts all electrical inspections in Mills County. State inspector: Chris Neuenkirk – Phone: 641-451-5118 Email: neuenkir@dps.state.ia.us
•Pottawattamie County
oThe Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Fire Marshal Division conducts electrical inspections within city limits in Pottawattamie County, except for the City of Council Bluffs.
oThe City of Council Bluffs conducts its own electrical inspections. City of Council Bluffs Building Permits and Inspections: 712-890-5284
oPottawattamie County conducts electrical inspections in unincorporated areas of the county. Pottawattamie County Building and Safety Division: 712-328-5847
•Montgomery County
oThe Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Fire Marshal Division conducts electrical inspections in Montgomery County. State inspector: Chris Neuenkirk – Phone: 641-451-5118 Email: neuenkir@dps.state.ia.us
•Page County
o The Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Fire Marshal Division conducts electrical inspections in Page County. State inspector: Chris Neuenkirk – Phone: 641-451-5118 Email: neuenkir@dps.state.ia.us
•Taylor County
oThe Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Fire Marshal Division conducts electrical inspections in Taylor County. State inspector: Chris Neuenkirk – Phone: 641-451-5118 Email: neuenkir@dps.state.ia.us
Original source can be found here.
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