The Zeeland Board of Public Works (BPW) has received a national commendation from the American Public Power Association (APPA) for its role in electric power restoration efforts in Orlando, Florida, following Hurricane Milton.
On October 7, Zeeland BPW dispatched four lineworkers to assist the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC), which experienced significant power outages due to the hurricane.
According to OUC, “On Thursday (10/10), OUC had 78,992 customers without power due to Hurricane Milton. By Friday (10/11), power was restored to 78% of impacted customers. As of 10:30 a.m. on Saturday (10/12), OUC had restored power to 98% of its customers.”
Andrew Boatright, General Manager of Zeeland BPW, emphasized the importance of collaboration in the energy sector. “Mutual aid is about more than just restoring power—it’s about communities helping communities. When disaster strikes, public utilities like ours band together to support each other and bring relief to those in need. I’m incredibly proud of our team’s dedication and willingness to lend a hand when it matters most.”
Zeeland BPW is an active participant in the APPA’s Mutual Aid Network, a program that coordinates utilities and local authorities during widespread outages to accelerate restoration efforts and provide critical support. For more information about the APPA’s Mutual Aid Network, visit publicpower.org/mutualaid.