LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Gas and Electric Company on Monday sent out 20 crews composed of LG&E employees and Kentucky-based contractors to Missouri and Illinois to assist the local utility with power restoration efforts in areas devastated by the recent ice storm.

Answering calls for aid from Ameren, which serves over 2.2 million customers in Missouri and Illinois, LG&E workers will help rebuild damaged electric distribution lines damaged by installing new poles and stringing new wire.

"Ice has caused extensive damage to electrical equipment in the area leaving tens of thousands of customers without power," said David Guy, Director of System Restoration and Dispatch Operations for E.ON U.S. "We are proud to send experienced and dedicated workers to help Ameren restore power for their customers."

More than 90 LG&E workers and Kentucky-based contractors have been deployed to Missouri and Illinois. Those dispatched included supervisors, line technicians and tree trimmers. The effort is part of LG&E's participation in the mutual assistance program, a collection of utility companies that assist other utilities in times of natural disasters and crisis situations.

Crews will continue to restore power in Missouri and Illinois as long as the weather remains calm in LG&E's service territory. As always, safety is the number one priority for all those involved.

LG&E is a wholly-owned subsidiary of E.ON U.S. LLC that serves 324,000 natural gas and 398,000 electric customers in Louisville, Ky., and 16 surrounding counties.