Restoring An Outage

Linn County REC strives to provide reliable service through extensive maintenance programs, tree trimming and pole inspections. However, there are things beyond our control that can cause outages.

• Dig Ins - These outages occur when a contractor digs into an underground line or tears down an overhead line. If you experience an outage and notice a contractor working nearby, please call our office. Most of our dig in outages are reported directly from our members.

• Storms - When a storm or extensive outage occurs, prioritization is based on the number of members affected and the speed at which restoration can be made. In most cases, this starts at the substation and works out to the individual.

• Animals - If an animal comes in contact with energized wires on a pole or in the substation, this will either cause the power to go out or cause blinking lights.

• Blinking Lights - Some common reasons your lights may blink are: lightning, ice or trees limbs touching the power lines. Linn County REC has an extensive maintenance program in place to visually inspect the overhead lines, trim/cut trees where necessary and perform routine substation maintenance. If you experience blinking lights, (other than during a storm) please call our office.

• Power Supplier - These outages occur when the transmission lines that feed our substations have a problem and are out of power. We work closely with our power supplier to help restore power to these areas as quickly as possible.

• Planned Outage - At times it is necessary for Linn County REC to shut power off for maintenance or repairs. When this occurs, we attempt to contact you by mail or phone to notify you of the planned outage, date, time and work to be done.

What happens during an outage