In recent weeks, Okmulgee County has experienced a series of power outages, causing disruptions and frustrations for many residents. After reaching out to AEP/Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO), the newspaper was offered valuable insights from Jonathan Wynn, External Affairs Manager, about the causes of these outages and the ongoing efforts to restore and improve the electrical grid.

— Reasons Behind the Outages

According to Wynn, the outages can be attributed to a variety of factors including equipment malfunctions, severe weather, animal contact, and vandalism. Here’s a detailed breakdown of some recent incidents:

• June 10: A planned outage occurred while crews were working on the Weleetka and Okemah substations to enhance grid resiliency. The outage was expected to last four hours but extended to five hours.

• July 23: PSO’s facilities were vandalized by an individual attempting to steal phone lines from the poles. This caused the lines to break and wrap around a primary phase, resulting in a burn down. The sheriff ’s department was notified, and power was quickly restored.

• July 23: A semi-truck pulling into the Dollar General in Morris caught a low telephone/communications line, leading to a lateral fuse outage. This affected approximately 200 customers.

— Substation Repairs & Updates

In addition to these specific incidents, the electrical substation on the west side of Okmulgee is receiving significant repairs and updates. These efforts are crucial to enhance the reliability and resilience of the power grid, minimizing future disruptions.

— Commitment to the Community

Wynn emphasized that the AEP/PSO crews are dedicated to serving the community and work diligently to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. He acknowledged the inconvenience caused by any power outage and assured residents that every effort is being made to prevent future occurrences.

For those interested in further details on the reliability and performance of the electrical grid, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission’s annual report provides comprehensive insights and can be accessed online at https://oklahoma.gov/ content/dam/ok/en/occ/documents/pu/pud-reports- page/2024-reliability-report-5-1-2024.pdf. As Okmulgee County continues to face challenges with power outages, it’s important to stay informed and prepared. The ongoing repairs and updates to the electrical substation are steps in the right direction, promising a more resilient and reliable power supply for all residents.

For any additional questions or concerns, Jonathan Wynn can be contacted directly at JVWYNN@AEP.COM or 918-426-7922.