(FORT WORTH, TX) – Texas-New Mexico Power Co. (TNMP) is sending a 25-member team to San Benito, Texas, on Friday to help American Electric Power (AEP) with anticipated restoration efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Dolly. The team will include 21 linemen, an engineer, a mechanic, a safety technician and a field supervisor from across TNMP's service area.

The TNMP team, which will represent all corners of the state, will gather at a staging area in West Columbia on Friday morning, before making the six-hour drive to San Benito. According to Mike Grider, Director, TNP Regional Engineering for South Texas, the team expects to repair broken poles, downed wires, and replace damaged transformers and other damaged distribution facilities. “TNMP crews will do their best to help make order out of the chaos,” said Grider.

TNMP’s response is based on a request from AEP through both the Southeastern Electric Exchange (SEE) and the Texas Mutual Assistance League (TMAL). “Electric utilities working through organizations such as these provide mutual assistance to each other in times of need. No utility in the United States can handle major damage from hurricanes and other natural events with only internal work forces,” said Grider. One great example of the efficiency and power of mutual assistance restoration efforts is Hurricane Katrina, said Grider. “Mississippi Power, with help from many other utilities, was able to restore service 11 days after the landfall of Hurricane Katrina.”

In addition to helping during Hurricane Katrina, TNMP has responded to mutual assistance requests during Hurricanes Ivan, Jeanne, Rita, and Wilma, and the 2007 Oklahoma ice storm.

“It is important for us to participate in mutual assistance efforts,” said Grider. “Not only are we able to assist our fellow utilities, but we also ensure that we will receive assistance whenever a natural disaster strikes our service territory.”

Texas-New Mexico Power Company provides community-based electric delivery service to approximately 226,000 customers in Texas. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of PNM Resources.