MORRIST TOWNSHIP – The lights went out temporarily for 2,700 Penelec customers when a rock truck working at the Sky Haven Coal site snagged an electric line near Pardee Road in Morris Township.
According to Penelec Area Manager John Shimko, the accident occurred about 10:30 p.m Friday night. The line that was contacted is the main line between Philipsburg and Snow Shoe.
Penelec dispatchers performed radio-controlled switching over the next 25 minutes and were able to isolate the problem area and restore power to all but a one customer by 11:05 p.m. Many customers throughout the area experienced intermittent outages during that time.
Penelec crews were called out to repair three broken poles and 7 spans of downed wires that were pulled down by the truck. The final customer was restored at 12:08 a.m.. Crews completed repairs around 1:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon and the line was returned to normal operation at that time.
Penelec thanks customers for their patience during restoration efforts and reminds customers to treat all downed wires as energized and dangerous. Customers can report downed wires and power interruptions by calling 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877).