Recent Press Release

Alliant Energy sets timeline for restoring power to Cedar Rapids downtown business district

Company completing inspections and repairs where possible; expects to begin restoring service to downtown district over the next week

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – June 27, 2008 – Alliant Energy set today a timeline for restoring electric service to the flood-damaged downtown business district in Cedar Rapids. Based upon assessments and repair of portions of the electric network that were initially accessible, the company expects to begin restoring electric service to segments of customers in the downtown business district that can safely have service restored next week.

The company expects to begin testing and inspecting the northern half of the downtown electric network after 6:00 pm tonight and tomorrow. If the northern half of the downtown electric network system passes all inspections and tests, the company expects to begin restoring electric service to customers located generally north of Second Avenue SE (toward I-380 and 5th Street SE) early next week.

Also, the company expects to begin restoring service to the southern half of the downtown district by the end of next week. The company is in the process of completing construction work on a temporary substation that will be able to provide power to customers located generally south of Second Avenue SE. Additional information will be provided when customers located in this area can begin reconnecting electric service.

Businesses impacted by the flooding will be reconnected after all inspections and repairs by a licensed electrician and the City of Cedar Rapids are completed.

Alliant Energy continues to disconnect electric services in the downtown district that were impacted by flooding for safety reasons. If business customers located in this area are unsure if their electric service has been disconnected, they are encouraged to contact 1-866-255-4268 for more information.

“We continue to take significant steps forward in restoring the downtown electric network that serves the downtown business district,” said Tom Aller, president – Interstate Power and Light Company, an Alliant Energy company “While we will continue working to restore power to all of our downtown business district customers over the next two weeks, completing repairs to the downtown electric network infrastructure that was damaged by the floodwaters will take months. We are utilizing all available resources in this effort and are appreciative of the additional engineering and mechanical resources from across the country that have provided their expertise in assisting our company in repairing downtown electric networks after natural disasters.”

The company also expects to resume steam service to some of its Cedar Rapids customers by July 7. Package boilers are expected to provide steam system service to all customers except the low pressure steam system. The low pressure system, or ten pound system, incurred significant damage.

Assessments on the low pressure system continue. Other steam system customers can expect normal operating pounds and pressure when the system comes online. 

Power plant and other facility assessment and clean-up continue as well. The Sixth Street and Prairie Creek Generating Stations will remain offline until repairs are completed. No timeline has been established as to when the power plants will be back online.

Crews continue to reconnect electricity to customers where it is safe to do so. At the peak of the flood more than 30,000 Cedar Rapids area customers were without power. Approximately 3,000 remain without power. Most of those customers are located in areas heavily affected by flood damage. Some customers whose homes have been inspected and approved for reconnection may remain without power due to electric system damage that connects to their area.

“The safety of our customers and employees remains our focus,” added Aller. “Given the historical scope of the flooding, the rebuilding will be methodical to ensure the safe and sound restoration of power. We are coordinating restoration efforts to work with our city leaders to restore power as quickly and safely as possible and we appreciate our customers’ patience during these challenging times.”

Safety reminders

• Alliant Energy continues to remind residential customers that if you are returning to your flood-damaged home, and did not call Alliant Energy to have your electricity disconnected prior to leaving, residential customers must call 1-800-ALLIANT (1-800-255-4268) to be disconnected. Never walk through a flooded home or building until the electricity is disconnected. Even a small amount of water on the floor of your basement can put you at risk for electrocution. Once power is disconnected, clean up can begin.
• Electric meter-socket manufacturers advise that if the meter-socket was submersed in flood water, it must be replaced, it cannot be reused. Manufacturers also recommend replacement of breakers, paper-based fuses, switches, receptacles and components subjected to flood water. This work must be completed by a licensed electrical contractor.
• In some cases, the electric service was shut off to residential customers for safety reasons, but did not sustain any water damage. If so, residential customers should contact Alliant Energy at 1-800-ALLIANT to have your service turned on.
• Customers choosing to use a portable generator as a source of electricity for their homes should have it installed by a licensed contractor. It is also important to notify Alliant Energy at 1-800-ALLIANT, so customer service can advise utility personnel working in your area. Due to improper installation, portable generators often back-feed into the distribution system, making it very dangerous for crews working on the electric lines.

Please note that Alliant Energy does not charge for flood-related disconnects and reconnects. Shutting off electric service during times of flooding is done for safety purposes. Alliant Energy will not charge customers to have service turned off when flooding occurs, or turned back on after the clean-up is completed.

For additional flooding information, please visit www.alliantenergy.com.

Media Hotline: 319-786-4040