FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sunday, April 6, 2025
CONTACT: Dana Whyte, Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications, [email protected]

Great Lakes Energy, Presque Isle Electric & Gas open Storm Camp for contractors working day and night to restore power

Crews continue to make progress on returning power following unprecedented storm that ravaged Northern Michigan

BOYNE CITY, Mich. – As Great Lakes Energy (GLE) and Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-Op (PIE&G) crews continue working day and night to restore power to families and businesses across northern Michigan, local electric cooperatives have set up a volunteer-run, 1,000-person Storm Camp as a place for contractors working across the region to eat and rest.

The fully operational “Storm Camp”, located at the Otsego County Fairgrounds, provides contractors with a comfortable place to eat, sleep and recharge as they work diligently to restore power across northern Michigan, which was hard hit by a catastrophic, once-in-a-generation ice storm.

“We want to thank the Otsego County Fairgrounds for allowing us to use their property during this time of need and thank our incredible line workers, employees, contractors and volunteers in this effort,” said Shaun Lamp, President & CEO of GLE. “Crews are replacing hundreds of poles, transformers and miles of wire. The work is difficult and time-intensive, and our teams are working day and night to restore power to local families, businesses and all those affected by this unprecedented storm.”

Volunteers from co-ops across the state are helping run Storm Camp, in addition to city of Charlevoix employees. The camp expects to need more than 20,000 gallons of fuel per day for repair trucks, which are filled overnight while crews rest.

“Storm Camp is an incredible community effort that demonstrates the true, supportive spirit of this unprecedented restoration effort,” said Allan Berg, PIE&G CEO. “We are laser focused on getting the job done and will not stop working until all power is restored. We are all in this together, and Storm Camp is a testament to the incredible outpouring of support for northern Michigan at this challenging moment. I want to thank the countless elected officials, employees, volunteers, first responders, public safety officers and contractors who have joined this historic restoration effort.”

GLE and PIE&G are continuing to make significant strides in efforts to restore power to members across northern Michigan.

GLE restoration progress as of Sunday, April 6:

  • 84% of GLE members have power (more than 12,000 members restored in last two days)
  • restored power to the Johannesburg area, including the school district, area businesses and restaurants
  • restored service to critical infrastructure
  • cleared roadways as well as fallen trees and limbs weakened by the storm

PIE&G restoration progress as of Sunday, April 6:

  • 62% of PIE&G members have power, which represents 21,808 PIE&G households (up from 53% on Saturday – 9% increase)
  • restored 545 miles of line
  • restored service to critical infrastructure
  • 299 crews and 1,120 personnel in the field working to restore power

Visit gtlakes.com/power-outages and pieg.com/spring-2025-storm-updates for updates.

Volunteers at the Otsego County Fairgrounds Storm Camp on Sunday.

Volunteers at the Otsego County Fairgrounds Storm Camp on Sunday.

Gaylord police officers at the Otsego County Fairgrounds Storm Camp on Sunday.

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