PRICE TAG ON DERECHO STORM AT $172 MILLION

(08/22/2012)
West Virginia's power providers spent a combined $172 million on repairs and restoring service following a June 29 Derecho windstorm, according to statements filed with the WV Public Service Commission.

The windstorm left three people dead and more than 680,000 customers without electricity across West Virginia.

Eleven utilities filed the reports with the PSC this week.

The Charleston Daily Mail reported Appalachian Power and First Energy subsidiaries Mon Power and Potomac Edison replaced or repaired a combined 2,700 power poles, more than 300 miles of wire and 1,600 transformers after the windstorm.

Mon Power and Potomac Edison said the estimated cost to restore service was about $110 million.

Some of the main transmission grid lines received damage.

Frontier phone estimated storm-related repairs at $5.8 million, while West Virginia American Water's estimate was $750,000.