PEC to upgrade electric systems in Dripping, Wimberley areas

MEDIA CONTACT: Anne Harvey, (830) 868-4933; Austin line, (512) 219-2602

Pedernales Electric Cooperative crews will perform system improvements to better serve the growing energy needs of its members in the Dripping Springs and Wimberley areas over the next several weeks, beginning on Tuesday, April 19.

The improvements will create additional line capacity and help increase system reliability, and PEC is mailing letters with more specific information to members affected by the work. The upgrades will require staggered, three-hour interruptions of electric service for members during the following periods:

– Between 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 19, and 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 22. Affects about 2,000 members in the central and northern Dripping Springs areas, from downtown to Hamilton Pool Road. This area includes PEC’s Dripping Springs office, which will close April 22 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. to accommodate the planned power interruption. The office will reopen from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

– Between 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 3, and 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 5. Affects about 2,000 members in the eastern Dripping Springs and Driftwood areas.

– Between 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 17, and 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18. Affects about 1,000 members in the southern Dripping Springs and northern Wimberley areas.

Crews and contractors from PEC’s Oak Hill office will need access to PEC equipment on members’ property to complete these improvements. Workers will climb poles and use bucket trucks to access transformers and manually perform the improvements. PEC has requested that affected members leave gates unlocked and make sure animals are restrained. In the event of inclement weather, the work will be rescheduled for one week later.

Every effort will be made to restore service as quickly as possible. However, if electricity has not been restored by noon for morning interruptions or 5 p.m. for afternoon interruptions, members should contact PEC’s Oak Hill Engineering Department at 1-888-554-4732, Ext. 7925.