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Central Texas linemen work through cold snap to maintain power

kwtx.com · last updated

CENTRAL TEXAS (KWTX) - Linemen across Central Texas worked through freezing conditions to maintain electrical service during this week’s cold snap, with local crews also providing assistance to harder-hit areas of the state.

Heart of Texas Electric Co-op linemen maintained service for more than 18,000 members across parts of seven counties during the winter weather event. The co-op serves Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Hamilton, McLennan and Milam counties.

Heart of Texas Electric Co-op linemen maintained service for more than 18,000 members across parts of seven counties during the winter weather event. The co-op serves Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Hamilton, McLennan and Milam counties.(Courtesy Photo)

Brandon Young, HO-TEC’s CEO, said the area was fortunate to receive mostly sleet instead of freezing rain during the storm.

“We were very blessed this time around,” Young said. “We were not tremendously harmed as far as our infrastructure however there were other co-ops across the state that were, and we were glad to be able to send them aid.”

Local infrastructure holds up well

Young said freezing rain poses the greatest threat to power lines because it sticks to the lines and can cause outages. Sleet does not stick to power lines in the same way.

The co-op’s infrastructure held up well during the weather event, though crews worked to restore any issues that did occur. HO-TEC sent some crews and equipment to Northeast Texas to assist cooperatives that experienced more widespread power problems.

Young said he is proud of his team’s work during the storm. The co-op’s full operations crew includes about 45 people, including linemen, equipment operators and others.

Heart of Texas Electric Co-op linemen maintained service for more than 18,000 members across parts of seven counties during the winter weather event. The co-op serves Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Hamilton, McLennan and Milam counties.(Courtesy Photo)

Mutual aid among cooperatives

Texas has 63 electric cooperatives that maintain mutual aid agreements with each other. The agreements allow cooperatives to send equipment and crews to assist other co-ops during emergencies.

Young also recognized behind-the-scenes workers who help coordinate restoration efforts, including dispatch and member service groups who take initial calls and make decisions on dispatching teams.

“It takes the entire team working together to manage restoration,” Young said.

The co-op was established in 1937 and currently services more than 25,000 meters across almost 4,000 miles of line.

CENTRAL TEXAS — Linemen across Central Texas worked through freezing conditions to maintain electrical service during this week’s cold snap, with local crews also providing assistance to harder-hit areas of the state.(Courtesy Photos)

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