Open letter: Dear DP and L

[mountainlove]

It is incredible, DP and L - you have managed to completely terrify our two kids (4 and 6). Thanks to you, they are TERRIFIED of any kind of weather - not just severe weather. Should this be possible that a company with as many resources (financial, physical and human!) could achieve this? No, I never thought it would be. However, in the 4 years we have lived in our house, you have managed just that. I would have thought that after Ike you would have been extremely motivated to satisfy your customers, but then, you are a "for profit" company and I should have known better. With Ike, it was 8 days; last year in February, it was 2 1/2 days; last year in June it was 1 1/2 days. This year it's already been 4 days...and continuing. These are days long outages. It doesn't include the countless number of our hours or the flickering lights we've had to endure. Our kids are the only ones that I know of who have their own lanterns because of the numerous power outages we have to endure. Last night, my daughter - the 4 year old - was so terrified of the dark that she came and slept with me, on my twin sizes air mattress in front of her room. What do you have to say to that? How do you rectify all the terror you have inflicted on these two children? Experiences they don't deserve to have, and will most likely continue, because you don't care?

You are a for profit organization. I truly understand the meaning of this having lived in your domain.

Your Customer.

PS: My husband and I have lived in a variety of states and countries - with MORE SEVERE WEATHER - and at no time have we had to endure one (or several for that matter) days long outage.

[Deleted]

I understand the frustration of power outages. We had them all the time at our old house. It's hot, uncomfortable, and certainly inconvenient, and it can be costly.

That said, it's not the fault of the electric company that your children are afraid of the dark and I'm giving you the side eye for blaming the electric company for "terrorizing" your children. That's pretty over the top.

[audette]

It's a power outage. I don't really understand the terror from it.

Sure, outages are a pain in the ass, but this letter is a bit extreme...

[madringal]

Why are you sleeping on an air matress in front of her door?

[mountainlove]

That is a power line behind me. It's low enough to touch. It goes through thick brush. They've never cleared it. Or done any preventative maintenance to ensure that it doesn't come down the next time. It comes down every time.

I am frustrated. Clearly.

The days long outages are just the major parts of it.

[karinothing]

This seems a little dramatic. Power outages happen. The entire midatlantic region is hurting for workers right now. And it is not like they can just magically fix downed power lines.

- signed the girl whose family is now on day 4 without power.

[beer]

Perhaps you should trim the brush yourself if it is such a terror for your family. Or call them to alert them of the issue.
Maybe start a campaign for buried power lines.

[y4m]

Yes, power outages suck, but they will happen to even the best run power company when mother nature strikes like it just did. Take a deep breath.

[y4m]

Your argument about brush around your power lines is much more compelling than this long list of examples of the power company terrorizing your kids. Write your letter about that. Send pictures.

[Deleted]

Dude, I totally understand, really, I do.

Take a deep breath.

You look like you're going to kill someone in that photo.

Your children will be okay, I promise this is not the most terrorizing thing they will ever experience. If it is, well, they live a pretty good life.

Perhaps you should invest in a generator before the next outage?

And remember, it's the actual electric companies that suck, those guys out there working on the lines are probably miles from home where their wife and kids are also without electric, on the verge of a heat stroke, and sleep deprived. They just do what they are told.

I would totally share my Xanax stash with you if you lived closer. lol

[dexteroni]

Jul 3, 2012 9:52:20 GMT -5 madringal said:

Why are you sleeping on an air matress in front of her door?

I am wondering this too. And I still don't understand the terror, especially at night. Isn't it always dark at night?

[GailGoldie]

I fail to see how not having power = terrorizing your children, and how a child coming to sleep in your bed is proof that they are terrorized - I'd be willing to guess most kids go to their parent's beds now and then, terror or not - my son does it many times a week just from bad dreams.

And I'd like to think that they have much bigger worries about getting power back up then some kids being afraid of the dark - how about businesses who have no power, and may go out of business b/c of the outage, etc? Really - yes, it sucks to not have power- but there are much worse things you could go through.

[pamela]

I understand the frustration, especially with long outages. But natural disasters happen, and sorry, as an individual homeowner, you are lower down on the list to get turned back on. Power companies have a plan for restoration that typically involves making sure major distribution paths are up first so power plants can come back online when the grid is ready. Then they work on vital customers which means hopsitals, nursing homes, and major industries that without power could be in big trouble (chemical plants, etc that may have to start releases without power). Then they start working on residential areas, in order of severity of damage and how many homes they can get back on for the amount of time an individual fix requires. It's not an easy process or done willy nilly.

Granted, some utilities are better at recovery than others. I work for a company that is nationally known for their recovery capabilities (probably because we have to do it so often). We have actually sent employees north to help with recovery up there.

This has nothing to do with being for profit or public owned utility. They want customers back on line in order to make money. It in no way benefits them to have you in the dark not paying anything.

[countthestars]

My dad works for an electric company (not DP and L). You do realize that there are likely people from all over the country helping to get your power back on working 24 hours a day, right?

I get being frustrated, but jeez. Just be happy that it's warm out and not cold - people froze to death in their homes in the snowstorms and ice storms we've had in New England the past couple of years.

[noodleoo]

Wait, why are you blaming hte power company for your kids being afraid of the dark? When the power went out when we were kids, it was fun. We played games by candlelight, told stories, we had fun. I liked it more as a kid than an adult. I'm not saying the power companies don't suck (they do) but you are blaming them for the wrong thing. Blame them for the spoiled food and other affects of losing power. But if your kids are scared of weather, I think that has more to do with how you are dealing with the power being out as an adult/parent than the fact that the power is actually out.

[madringal]

Jul 3, 2012 10:18:02 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

Wait, why are you blaming hte power company for your kids being afraid of the dark? When the power went out when we were kids, it was fun. We played games by candlelight, told stories, we had fun. I liked it more as a kid than an adult. I'm not saying the power companies don't suck (they do) but you are blaming them for the wrong thing. Blame them for the spoiled food and other affects of losing power. But if your kids are scared of weather, I think that has more to do with how you are dealing with the power being out as an adult/parent than the fact that the power is actually out.

This. If you stop freaking out about the power, chances are your kids will too. There is nothing terrorizing about a power outage. And for a few hundred bucks you can have a generator so you never have to worry about it again.

[audette]

Jul 3, 2012 9:54:14 GMT -5 @mountainlove said:

That is a power line behind me. It's low enough to touch. It goes through thick brush. They've never cleared it. Or done any preventative maintenance to ensure that it doesn't come down the next time. It comes down every time.

I am frustrated. Clearly.

The days long outages are just the major parts of it.

Have you notified them about the brush? If they don't know it needs to be fixed, they aren't able to fix the situation...

There are some power lines that run along the road used to access my neighbourhood. When I noticed the treeline encroaching on the lines, I notified our power company and a few weeks later, a crew was out to trim back the trees.

[Melissa W.]

Pamela said it best in this instance in regards to restoring power.

And really, it isn't the power company terrorizing your kids, it is your reaction.

We went through this situation last August. It sucked but you will get through it.

[leshoequeen]

Dude, you are the one scaring the crap out of your kids - just look at the picture! Chill.

[phunluvin82]

When I was little, my sis and I actually thought power outages were fun. We'd play flashlight tag in the house (probably drove my parents nuts) and we got to eat takeout fried chicken from a local restaurant (my parents' go-to for when the kitchen wasn't useable) by candlelight. Aside from birthday parties, it was basically the only non-health food we ever ate so we loved it.

Moral of the story: give em some flashlights and yummy takeout...they'll survive, lol!

[Melissa W.]

Jul 3, 2012 10:36:51 GMT -5 phunluvin82 said:

When I was little, my sis and I actually thought power outages were fun. We'd play flashlight tag in the house (probably drove my parents nuts) and we got to eat takeout fried chicken from a local restaurant (my parents' go-to for when the kitchen wasn't useable) by candlelight. Aside from birthday parties, it was basically the only non-health food we ever ate so we loved it.

Moral of the story: give em some flashlights and yummy takeout...they'll survive, lol!

I felt like I saw more of my neighbors after Irene than ever before!!

[Deleted]

Power outages suck but for some reason I don't think their main concern is the terrorized children of America who sit in the dark AT NIGHT. You do know that for many many years people existed on this planet without electricity, right? They lived through their experiences and so will your kids.

[hannamarin]

I feel for you. The last 4 humid hot and sticky days would have sucked without power. If it happened here, I would probably drive until I found power and stay in a hotel
Signed, spoiled brat

[jenjen]

As others have said, you realize that DP&L wants your power to be on? They aren't making any money when your electric is out.

Honestly, the linemen & women working around the clock to restore power is not a job I would want. They are hot, overworked, and exhausted sitting in their buckets up in the air- working to restore power. It's not the power company's fault that trees have knocked out lines and transformers. They can only do so much to get it back on at a time - they need more resources (human, equipment, and poles/transformers). You should thank the line men & women who are working away from their families and likely without power themselves - when they do restore power instead of bitching about the power company. Even though they are "for profit" it doesn't mean they have unlimited resources - trust me, I work for a for profit electric/gas company not DP&L.

[Deleted]

Jul 3, 2012 10:36:51 GMT -5 phunluvin82 said:

When I was little, my sis and I actually thought power outages were fun. We'd play flashlight tag in the house (probably drove my parents nuts) and we got to eat takeout fried chicken from a local restaurant (my parents' go-to for when the kitchen wasn't useable) by candlelight. Aside from birthday parties, it was basically the only non-health food we ever ate so we loved it.

Moral of the story: give em some flashlights and yummy takeout...they'll survive, lol!

We did this too. My mom always told us we were going to "camp" in the living room and we would all pile in there blankets and pillows and play games until bedtime. It was also the only time we got to eat junk food. I was always sad when it stormed and the power stayed on. lol

[ECB]

Jul 3, 2012 10:23:32 GMT -5 madringal said:

If you stop freaking out about the power, chances are your kids will too. There is nothing terrorizing about a power outage. And for a few hundred bucks you can have a generator so you never have to worry about it again.

Yeah, another "this".

[ijack]

I work for a power company and believe me they are doing EVERYTHING they can to get your power back on. Unfortunately it's not easy and will take a little time. DP&L should have a number that you can call (after things are up and running) to let them know about the issue with your line and they should send someone to cut your tree/bushes.

[mrsjuleshs]

Jul 3, 2012 10:43:01 GMT -5 ECB said:

Jul 3, 2012 10:23:32 GMT -5 madringal said:

If you stop freaking out about the power, chances are your kids will too. There is nothing terrorizing about a power outage. And for a few hundred bucks you can have a generator so you never have to worry about it again.

Yeah, another "this".

Thank you for posting this. I don't get the rage at the electric company for something outside of their control. There are people who need power back on more than you and your "terrified" kids.

[emilyinchile]

So why are the kids terrorized? I'm having trouble figuring out why they now freak out at weather, presumably thinking the power might go out, unless the adults in their lives have taught them that power outages are to be feared. And I don't mean the adults who work at the power company.

Having no power sucks, I'll definitely agree with you there, but I don't know why it has to be scary for kids.

[Deleted]

I think you should call the power company when the power comes back on and ask about the line that is hanging low. Is it not connected because its hanging low, because if it is, its likely a problem further down the line?
I'd start making it a fun game for your kids...I understand that it sucks to have your power go out for an extended period, but you sound like you can't even think straight.
If you have power outages constantly, have you ever considered getting a generator for backup?