(LOUISVILLE, Ky. - October 24, 2005) As Hurricane Wilma strikes southern Florida, LG&E Energy is sending additional crews south to assist in restoring power and repairing electrical infrastructure.

More than 260 LG&E Energy employees and Kentucky-based contractors are now supporting Florida Power and Light in the restoration effort - an increase from the 120 workers originally released. The utility made the decision to send additional crews because no severe weather is forecasted for its service territory in the foreseeable future.

They departed over the weekend and early Monday morning from locations across Kentucky and will remain in Florida as long as weather patterns hold in LG&E Energy's service territory. The team consists of veteran line technicians, team leaders, safety specialists, mechanics, and tree trimmers.

Crews are staging at the Epcot Center in Orlando, Florida. Once the hurricane passes they will move south to assist Florida Power and Light, and will remain there as long as weather patterns hold in LG&E Energy's service territory.

The effort is part of LG&E Energy's participation in the mutual assistance program, a collection of utility companies that assist other utilities in times of natural disasters and crisis situations.

"LG&E Energy remains committed to helping our southern neighbors in their time of need," said David Guy, director of system restoration and dispatch operations for LG&E Energy. "We hope our additional crews will aid in a safe and efficient restoration effort."



LG&E Energy LLC, headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is a diversified energy services company. LG&E Energy owns and operates Louisville Gas and Electric Company, a regulated utility that serves 318,000 natural gas and 390,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties, and Kentucky Utilities Company, a regulated electric utility in Lexington, Ky., that serves 518,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia.