Dominion Energy: Winter Weather Preparedness and Customer Safety
Thursday, Jan 9, 2025 8:26 pm ET
3min read
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Dominion Energy (NYSE: D) has taken proactive measures to prepare for potential winter weather impacts in South Carolina, urging customers to be ready and stay safe. As the company anticipates a wintry mix of precipitation across parts of its service territory on Friday, it has positioned crews to respond to potential power outages and is in contact with neighboring utilities and contract companies to secure additional resources if needed. Dominion Energy South Carolina President Keller Kissam emphasized the unpredictable nature of winter weather, stating, "We know from lots of experience that this kind of weather can be dangerously tricky because even the smallest change in the forecast can quickly mean the difference between rain, sleet, snow or ice."
To ensure the safety of its customers and employees, Dominion Energy has implemented several measures:
1. Crew Readiness and Flexibility: The company has positioned crews to respond to potential power outages, ensuring they are ready to roll no matter the weather or its timing. Dominion Energy is also in contact with neighboring utilities and contract companies to secure additional resources if needed (Dominion Energy, 2025).
2. Customer Education: Dominion Energy is urging customers to stay safe and be prepared for potential power outages. The company provides tips on creating or restocking emergency kits, staying away from downed power lines, and downloading the Dominion Energy app for outage reporting (Dominion Energy, 2025).
3. Safety Awareness Campaigns: Dominion Energy runs safety awareness campaigns, such as the "Call Before You Dig" program, to educate the public about the dangers of striking underground electric cables or gas pipelines during excavation projects (Dominion Energy, 2023).
4. Safety Training: The company provides safety training to its employees, including safety moments before meetings, safety briefings, and continuous learning modules. They also have employee-led safety committees to reinforce safety practices (Dominion Energy, 2023).
5. Safety Technology: Dominion Energy uses innovative technology to enhance safety, such as equipping a robotic dog with radiation detectors to evaluate newly installed shielding within the containment chamber at Surry Power Station, minimizing hazards to personnel (Dominion Energy, 2023).
6. Emergency Response Planning: The company maintains a website targeted for first responders, with learning modules on topics including their distribution systems, responding to fires or downed lines, and guidance on precautions to protect the public during an event. This website is also available to the general public (Dominion Energy, 2023).
Dominion Energy's communication strategy plays a crucial role in keeping customers informed and prepared for winter weather impacts. The company uses various channels to disseminate important information and safety tips, ensuring customers are well-equipped to handle potential power outages and other weather-related challenges. By proactively announcing potential weather impacts, using clear and concise messaging, providing specific safety tips and recommendations, engaging with customers through multiple channels, and collaborating with neighboring utilities and contract companies, Dominion Energy ensures that its customers are well-informed and prepared for winter weather events.
In conclusion, Dominion Energy's preparedness strategy aligns with historical winter weather patterns in South Carolina, and the company is taking specific measures to ensure the safety of its customers and employees during potential power outages. By combining crew readiness, customer education, safety awareness campaigns, safety training, safety technology, and emergency response planning, Dominion Energy is well-equipped to handle power outages safely and efficiently. The company's communication strategy helps customers stay informed and prepared for winter weather impacts, ensuring they are well-equipped to handle potential power outages and other weather-related challenges.