"This combination of two outstanding companies is a natural fit, " explained Johnson, citing cost saving due to fuel purchasing power and the dispatch of generating plants.
As a result of current low natural gas prices, natural gas-fired power plant operating costs have fallen so much that they are now displacing previously lower cost coal-fired power in the dispatch order of many electricity supply regions.
Utility companies know the polling locations and dispatch repair crews to them after restoring power to top-priority locations such as hospitals, Mr. Ruman said.