Crews replacing and installing hundreds of poles, transformers and miles of wire
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 service to critical infrastructure including the Munson Health Clinic on M-32 in Elmira
- restored power to Lewiston businesses with the Johannesburg village slated for restoration soon
- continued to clear roadways as well as fallen trees and limbs weakened by the storm
- more than 1,200 personnel in the field working to restore power alongside 300 GLE employees
PIE&G restoration progress as of Sunday, April 6:
- restored power to Atlanta, Onaway, Posen, Johannesburg-Lewiston and Seventh Day Adventist Schools
- restored service to the Onaway water tower and Atlanta Senior Center
- 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.
