FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, April 14, 2025 
CONTACT: Dana Whyte, Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications, [email protected]
 
Great Lakes Energy, Presque Isle Electric & Gas restore power to vast majority of members, focus turns to restoring internet across Northern Michigan
 
Crews nearly complete restoration of power to those impacted by the devastating ice storms
 
ONAWAY, Mich. – Great Lakes Energy (GLE) and Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-Op (PIE&G) crews have restored power to nearly all members in Northern Michigan who lost power during the recent catastrophic ice storm, allowing them to redeploy and refocus restoration crews on restoring internet service.
 
GLE reported on Monday that 98% of its members and PIE&G reported that 88% of its members now have power, which aligns with the co-ops’ previously stated goals for restoration.
 
The smattering of outages that remain are mostly due to extensive damage in the area including inaccessible properties, at seasonal residences, or are due to specific individual property concerns, which could require on-site work by an electrician and an electrical inspection before the co-ops can restore power.
 
GLE and PIE&G crews are now also working to restore or replace fiber-optic cables for internet and voice services, which were also heavily impacted by the storm. Internet service provided by fiber-optic cables can only be reattached to the electric infrastructure after poles and wires are rebuilt, which reflects both co-ops’ steady progress in restoring power.
 
“We are close to restoring power to all our members who lost power during the unprecedented ice storm, and we will continue this unprecedented rebuild effort until the job is complete,” said Shaun Lamp, president & CEO of GLE. “I am proud of the hard work and dedication of crew members, volunteers and employees to get to this milestone in our rebuilding and restoration effort.” 
 
GLE restoration progress as of Monday, April 14: 
 
  • 98% of GLE members now have power (1,932 members restored on Sunday) 
  • 76% of GLE members now have internet service restored 
  • replaced more than 2,270 total poles since March 31 
  • restored 4,150 line miles impacted          
  • coordinated more than 1,000 vehicles and equipment 
  • coordinated more than 1,500 personnel in the field to restore power on Sunday
 
“We are truly proud of our crew members who continue to work diligently to restore power and internet service to our members across Northern Michigan,” said Allan Berg, PIE&G CEO. “This storm knocked out our entire system for the first time in our history, and we are well on our way to reaching the finish line. We are experiencing high winds today that are making restorals difficult, but we will not stop working until all power is back on.”
 
PIE&G restoration progress as of Monday, April 14:
 
  • 88% of PIE&G members now have power (30,905 members restored so far) 
  • 58% of PIE&G members now have internet service restored 
  • replaced 1,470 broken poles  
  • coordinated 788 vehicles and equipment 
  • coordinated 408 crews and 1,426 personnel in the field to restore power 
 
 
The co-ops applauded efforts by state officials and local leaders to help the region, including by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who has requested a Presidential Emergency Declaration for the state of Michigan, 12 northern counties and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.
 
Whitmer’s request followed her visit to Washington, D.C., where she met with President Donald Trump on April 9 to provide information about the damage caused by the ice storm and recovery efforts.
 
With Trump’s approval, the declaration would authorize up to $5 million in immediate public assistance to support emergency efforts, including debris management needs.
 
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