Workers sent in Louisiana to assist restoring power

Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Alliant Energy will send 125 employees to Louisiana on Tuesday morning to assist with power restoration efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.

Entergy Louisiana will receive support from crews, according to Randy Bauer, Director of Operational Resources. They will attempt to restore services and repair distribution infrastructure in the Baton Rouge area.

Alliant said it may send more staff to the scene in the coming days to help crews already on the ground.

Bauer said he doesn’t know how long Alliant employees will stay there.

“We’re assuming two weeks, but a lot of that depends on how bad the damage is as you get in and assess damage. And it also depends on how many resources Entergy secures from other organizations. So, we’re assuming two weeks, could be more, could be less,” Bauer said.

He also said all the employees heading to Louisiana are volunteers.

“We saw first-hand the important role that mutual aid plays in restoration and recovery efforts when crews from around the country and Canada helped us following last year’s derecho in Iowa. We’re now doing what we can to help Entergy and the people of Louisiana,” Alliant said in a Tweet.