Squirrel trips outage in Skowhegan area

By JOE RANKIN, Staff Writer

Copyright © 2002 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

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SKOWHEGAN — A squirrel was blamed for a Monday power outage that left Skowhegan and parts of several surrounding towns without electricity for an hour and a half at the start of the workweek.

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 It was the second such incident this month, and Central Maine Power Co. officials said they are researching ways to make equipment less vulnerable to the bushy-tailed rodents.

 The latest outage occurred at 8:25 a.m. Power was restored at 10:25 a.m., said CMP spokesman Gail Rice.

 About 2,700 customers were affected in Skowhegan, Norridgewock, Canaan, Cornville, and Clinton, she said.

 Rice said the unlucky squirrel was climbing on equipment at the utility's Weston Substation on Skowhegan Island in the Kennebec River when it blew some fuses.

 On Oct. 9 another squirrel clambering around the substation was responsible for a similar outage that affected about the same number of utility customers over a virtually identical area.

 "There is a sizable squirrel population in that area. We're exploring ways to address the problems caused by the squirrels," said Rice. "There is some equipment we can install. But they're crafty. They like to climb on things.

 Rice said on Monday the utility restored power fairly quickly by tying in to other circuits.

 Some equipment was damaged. After it is repaired power will again be cut for about 10 minutes to switch circuits again, she said. "But that will probably be done at night when fewer people will notice it.

Joe Rankin — 474-9534

 jrankin@centralmaine.com

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