Minneapolis, MN (KROC-AM News) - Xcel Energy is sending line workers and other support staff to Puerto Rico to assist in the ongoing efforts to repair the damage inflicted on the island’s power grid by Hurricane Maria. Four months after the killer storm hit, hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses in the U.S. territory remain without power.

photo supplied by Xcel Energy
photo supplied by Xcel Energy
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A total of 65 Xcel Energy employees, along with line trucks and other gear, are now headed to Puerto Rico in response to a request for help that was submitted to the utility company last month. They are expected to be assigned to the Caguas area, which is in a remote and mountainous region in southeastern Puerto Rico.

They will be part of an effort organized by 20 U.S. electric utilities that are providing about 1500 workers to help with the power restoration project. Officials say that raises the total number of personnel working on re-electrifying Puerto Rico to around 5,500.

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