City partners with State and FEMA to help citizens with meter base repairs

(December 19, 2007) - The City of Oklahoma City, the State of Oklahoma and FEMA have partnered in a pilot program to repair damaged meter bases for Oklahoma City residents who still don’t have power.  The service is free to Oklahoma City residents.

Oklahoma City residents who have meter base damage can call the Citizen’s Assistance Hotline at 1-800-627-3464 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 19 through Friday, December 21.  The Hotline will only be available for a limited time and damaged meter bases must be repaired before power can be restored.

“This has been a challenging storm and there’s nothing more difficult than being displaced from your home during the holiday season.  We are working with our partners to do everything we can to restore power and get families back into their homes by December 25,” City Manager Jim Couch said.

The Oklahoma City Public Works Department is coordinating the meter repair pilot program.  City crews will match licensed electricians with residents to repair the damaged meter bases as quickly as possible.

After the electrical contractor reinstalls the meter base, City inspection crews must check the work.  The electrical inspectors are giving meter damage inspections first priority.  In most cases crews are providing same day service to contractors.

The program will reimburse electrical contractors $500 per completed job. The City will pay the contractors after the job has been inspected and approved, and paperwork completed. The City will pay for labor only. OG&E is providing the meter boxes.

It is expected that FEMA’s reimbursement program will cover 75 percent of the $500. The State of Oklahoma will cover 12.5 percent and the City of Oklahoma City will pay the remaining 12.5 percent.

Unfortunately, residents who have already made repairs to their meter bases are not eligible for reimbursement.  There is no federal law provision for retroacting a public assistance program, so only those who call the hotline starting December 19 will be eligible.

“This Citywide effort is a result of all levels of government working together for our citizens.  We appreciate Governor Henry’s leadership on this pilot program and applaud OG&E for their continuing efforts to restore power to city residents.” Couch said.

Licensed electricians can call the City’s Public Works Department at 297-2371 to participate in the program.