Preparing for a Winter Power Outage | Monday, November 23, 2009

As promised, here are some tips regarding what to do before, during, and after a winter power outage.

Before an Outage

  • Prepare an emergency kit that includes candles, matches, flashlights, a battery-powered or wind-up portable radio, a first aid kit and other basics. Make sure everyone in your house knows where the kit is kept.
  • Stock up on food that won't spoil, like canned and dried goods and energy bars. Have a manual operated can opener handy.
  • Check flashlights and battery-powered portable radios regularly to ensure that they are working, and you have extra batteries. A radio is an important source of weather and emergency information during a storm. A radio in a vehicle can be useful if you don't have a portable radio in your home.
  • Have emergency heating equipment and fuel (a gas fireplace, wood burning stove or fireplace) so you can keep at least one room livable. Be sure the room is well ventilated.
  • Make sure your home is properly insulated. Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows to keep cold air out.
  • Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside to provide insulation.
  • Know how to shut off water valves.
  • If you have medication that requires refrigeration, check with your pharmacist for guidance on proper storage during an extended outage.
  • Review the process for manually operating an electric garage door.
  • Have an emergency plan and an alternate place to stay that will have a back-up heat source. Ensure everyone in your household is familiar with the emergency plan.
  • Invest in a generator if you can. It can make a huge difference in allowing you to be able to use the essential appliances in your home.
  •  Purchase inexpensive, small packets of hand and foot warmers. These packets self heat when shaken or squeezed and will warm you up in a power outage.

During an Outage

  • Turn off all tools, appliances and electronic equipment and turn the thermostat(s) down to minimum. Power can be restored more easily when there isn't a heavy load on the electrical system. By unplugging all sensitive electronic equipment (TVs, stereo, DVD player, microwave oven, computer, cordless telephone, answering machine, garage door opener, etc.) you can protect against possible voltage irregularities that can occur when power is being restored.
  • Leave one light switch on, so you know when power is restored.
  • Dress in warm layers. Wear a hat and mittens (mittens are better than gloves).
  • Snowdrifts can be used as a makeshift freezer for food. (Be aware of attracting animals).
  • Snow can be melted for an additional water source.
  • Turn on your bathroom and kitchen water taps slightly, allowing water to drip. This will help prevent pipes from freezing.
  • If possible, avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer door. Food can stay cold in a full refrigerator for up to 24 hours, and in a well-packed freezer for 48 hours (24 hours if it is half-packed).
  • Don't use charcoal or gas barbeques indoors. They emit deadly poisonous gases.
  • If you have to evacuate because of a prolonged outage, turn off your main breaker.

After an Outage

  • Switch on the main breaker if it was turned off.
  • Let the electrical system stabilize before reconnecting appliances. Turn the thermostats up first, then reconnect the refrigerator and freezer. Wait 10 to 15 minutes before reconnecting other appliances.
  • Be extra cautious if you go outside to inspect for damage after a storm. Downed or hanging electrical wires can be hidden by snowdrifts, trees or debris, and could be live. Never attempt to touch or moved downed lines. Keep children and pets away from them.
  • Check with/help neighbors.
  • If pipes have frozen during the outage, remove any insulation, completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they are most exposed to the cold. A hand-held hair fryer, used with caution, also works well.
  • Inspect the food that is in your fridge and freezer for spoilage. If in doubt, don't eat it.

For more information, contact the Yukon's Emergency Measures Organization.

 

» 0 Comments     » Topics: Safety

Your Questions About Outages | Tuesday, November 17, 2009

We have received a number of questions about some recent power outages and about what Yukon Energy is doing to improve reliability.

We apologize to all of you who have been affected by these outages. We understand your frustration and anger, and you are certainly justified in demanding answers of us.

Before going further, we must explain that there are two electrical companies that operate in the Yukon. We are the company that generates most of the power. We sell it to Yukon Electrical Company, which in turn distributes it to most of you. So while we can provide information about the generation and transmission side of the business, it would be inappropriate for us to talk about any issues related to distribution. Based on the feedback we have received, most of you don’t care where the problems originate…you just want the outages to stop. But we feel it’s necessary to explain this ‘division of duties’ so you can understand that we are only able to give you a partial picture of what’s going on with regards to power outages and why they are occurring.

There are a number of things that cause outages. Some we have no control over, such as when a tree falls on a transmission line or when lightning strikes the line. But what we want to address today are those outages we CAN control.

Yukon Energy recognizes that we have to continually work to maintain our aging system. That’s why in 2009 we earmarked approximately two-thirds of our core capital budget for projects related to reliability. Over the past several months we have been working our way through a list of maintenance projects, and as a result we have seen significant improvement. In 2009 we've had six major controllable outages on our Whitehorse-Aishihik-Faro transmission system (which serves much of the southern and central Yukon) as compared to 17 in 2008. However even six outages are a reminder to us that with a complex electrical system there are no quick fixes, and we must be diligent in terms of continuing to make improvements to our system. We are committed to continuing with an aggressive maintenance schedule for the foreseeable future and we are committed to providing safe, reliable energy for all Yukoners.

Some of you have asked why there seem to be so many more power outages here than in Southern Canada. Elsewhere in North American, the provinces and states have interconnected transmission systems. That means when there is a loss of generation in one region, utilities can call on their counterparts in another area to provide additional generation. In this way, an outage is avoided. Here in the North, we have no such back-up system. So yes, there are more outages here than in the south, but the flip side of that our outages are shorter than the national average. That’s because we have a back-up diesel system that most other utilities don’t have. This system allows us to bring the power back on fairly quickly (within an hour or two in most cases). We have all heard stories of people in various parts of Southern Canada going several days without power. Luckily that’s something we don’t have to contend with.

That being said, we realize some of you have concerns about the possibility of a winter power outage. In our next entry we’ll provide you with suggestions on how to prepare for a winter power outage and what to do if one happens.

 

» 0 Comments     » Topics: Reliability

Power is Restored | Wednesday, November 4, 2009

As of 9 o'clock this morning, power was restored to most customers, following an outage that affected much of the Southern Yukon. The power went out just after 8 a.m., after routine filter maintenance in our Whitehorse Number 4 hydro plant inadvertently caused the unit to trip off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

 

» 6 Comments     » Topics: Reliability

Safety Comes First | Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Yukon Energy recently received some good news. We have attained our Certificate of Recognition (COR) for workplace safety. The COR is issued to employers who develop and implement health and safety programs that meet established standards set out by the Northern Safety Network and the Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board.

A COR recognizes that Yukon Energy Corporation’s health and safety management system has been evaluated by an independent certified auditor and found to meet industry standards. The audit was carried out at Yukon Energy’s Dawson City, Mayo and Whitehorse operations. 

There are 80 employees at Yukon Energy, and many of them work at high risk jobs. That's why it was important to us that we get independent confirmation that we were taking all precautions to keep our staff safe. 

Our slogan? Safety is a part of every decision we make and every action we take.

 

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You Asked… | Tuesday, November 3, 2009

 We received an inquiry the other day from a Yukoner who asked about our contingency plans in the event of an influenza pandemic. This person was concerned that if a substantial number of Yukon Energy employees are off work because of the flu, and there’s a power outage, it will take much longer than usual to restore power.
 
It’s a good question. The short answer is that Yukon Energy will continue to provide essential electrical services to our customers throughout any pandemic flu period. That includes restoring power as quickly and safely as possible during outages.
 
We have a comprehensive influenza pandemic plan that identifies back-up personnel in all essential areas. The plan outlines how we can continue providing Yukoners with essential services. It also lays out practices aimed at protecting as much as possible the health of our staff and customers. 
 
Do you have a question for Yukon Energy? Let us know and we'll do our best to answer it to your satisfaction.
 
 

» 0 Comments     » Topics: Safety