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Keeping the Lights On and Confidence High: Electric Reliability by the Numbers

Remarks from Vice President of Engineering, David Bleakley

Most people don’t spend much time thinking about their electric service—until it’s not there. And while this summer has brought a few more reminders than usual, we’re proud of the reliability we’ve consistently delivered. 

Looking back at 2024, the average Holy Cross Energy member experienced just 57.9 minutes without power, a performance more than six times better than other providers in our region. Members also averaged only 1.25 outages, with electricity available 99.988% of the time

We understand that this summer has felt different. Outages have been more frequent and, in some cases, longer than in recent years. That’s largely due to enhanced fire protection settings we’ve implemented during hot, dry, and windy conditions. These settings are designed to reduce wildfire risk and protect our communities, though they can occasionally lead to service interruptions. 

Recent rain and thunderstorms have also brought some challenges, but we’re grateful for the moisture and for our members’ continued patience. Our crews are working diligently and safely to restore power as quickly as possible. 

Despite these seasonal hurdles, our commitment to reliability remains stronger than ever. We’re investing in cutting-edge technologies and system upgrades that have helped drive a 10-year downward trend in outages. Our advanced fire mitigation program now uses drones, satellites, infrared, and multispectral imaging to inspect lines and monitor vegetation, preventing outages before they happen and enhancing wildfire defense. 

We’re also expanding our internal fiber network, which allows us to detect and isolate issues faster and re-route power more efficiently, minimizing downtime and improving service restoration. 

These innovations aren’t just technical achievements. They’re part of our promise to the communities we serve. As we continue to evolve and improve, our focus remains clear: delivering safe, reliable, affordable, and increasingly sustainable power every day of the year.