Hurricane Maria: JEA heading to Puerto Rico to assist in reconstruction of electric infrastructure

Forty-one linemen from JEA will head to Puerto Rico this week to help reconstruct the electric infrastructure after Hurricane Maria.

Crowley Maritime crews were loading trucks onto ships on Tuesday afternoon at JAXPORT. JEA employees will fly to Puerto Rico and meet up with the ship on Thursday.

JEA and the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority began working last week on a plan for assistance in reconstructing the island’s power grid and electric transmission system.

JEA CEO Paul McElroy said crews are expected to be there for 30 days, but will stay for as long as 90 days if necessary.

“This is what our linemen do and they have been widely recognized for their abilities and dedication. They build and restore electric service in difficult situations. They will be working in extremely dangerous conditions doing extremely dangerous work. They are the electric industry’s first responders, and Jacksonville is very proud of them,” McElroy said.

Cox Media Group