DALLAS, Aug. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Oncor crews have arrived in West Monroe, La., to help restore power to hundreds of thousands of customers as part of its continued participation in a mutual assistance program. Now that Hurricane Isaac has made landfall as a Category 1 storm and its severity has been downgraded, the hard work of restoring power can begin.

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"Each time we are able to reach out and help fellow utilities in their time of need, we are furthering our commitment to deliver safe and reliable service to everyone we serve – and beyond," Oncor Chief Operating Officer Jim Greer said. "Even with an extended holiday weekend right around the corner, our employees are willing to sacrifice their plans with family and friends to help complete strangers return to the normal comforts of home."

The Louisiana Public Service Commission said more than 900,000 customers were without power – nearly half the state – and some cities have ordered for a dusk-to-dawn curfew. Approximately 100 Oncor employees and contractors set out into the streets of West Monroe and Monroe, La., to help other utilities in the region safely restore power as heavy rains taper off and flood waters begin to recede. Oncor crews will assist Entergy in some of the areas impacted by high winds and heavy rain.

Oncor's participation in the mutual assistance program allows for the sharing of resources and manpower in the event of a natural disaster or other call for help.

"Our employees are unselfishly sharing their talents and knowledge to come to the aid of folks that need us now more than ever," Greer said.

Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC ("Oncor") is a regulated electricity distribution and transmission business that uses superior asset management skills to provide reliable electricity delivery to consumers. Oncor operates the largest distribution and transmission system in Texas, delivering power to more than 3 million homes and businesses and operating approximately 118,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines in Texas. While Oncor is owned by a limited number of investors (including majority owner, Energy Future Holdings Corp.), Oncor is managed by its Board of Directors, which is comprised of a majority of independent directors.

SOURCE Oncor