When outages occur, BPUB crews work around the clock to restore service safely and efficiently. Understanding our restoration process can help you know what to expect during an emergency.
Electric Service Restoration
When restoring electric service after a major outage, BPUB follows a systematic approach designed to restore power to the greatest number of customers as quickly and safely as possible.
Restoration Priority Order
1. Power Plants & Transmission Lines
BPUB first ensures power plants are operational and main transmission lines are energized. These high-voltage lines carry electricity from generation sources to substations throughout the service area.
Without functioning transmission infrastructure, no customers can receive power.
2. Substations
Substations transform high-voltage electricity to lower voltages for distribution. Each substation serves thousands of customers, so restoring them has the greatest impact.
Substations also power critical water infrastructure, including treatment plants and pump stations.
3. Critical Facilities
Once substations are restored, crews prioritize circuits serving:
- Hospitals and medical facilities
- Police and fire stations
- Emergency operations centers
- Water treatment plants
- Nursing homes and assisted living facilities
These facilities are essential for public safety during emergencies.
4. Large Customer Groups
Crews then focus on restoring service to the largest number of customers in the shortest time. This typically means:
- Major distribution lines serving entire neighborhoods
- Commercial districts
- Main feeders that supply multiple areas
5. Individual Service Restoration
Finally, crews address smaller outages affecting individual homes or small groups of customers. These may involve:
- Damaged service drops (the line from the pole to your home)
- Individual transformer failures
- Tree limbs on local lines
How BPUB Prepares for Emergencies
BPUB maintains year-round emergency preparedness to minimize customer impact during disasters.
Before a Storm
- Training and drills — Crews practice emergency response procedures and cross-train to fill roles where needed
- Mutual aid agreements — Partnerships with other utilities allow us to request additional crews and equipment during major events
- Equipment staging — Vehicles, materials, and equipment are positioned for rapid deployment
- Fuel reserves — Emergency fuel supplies ensure crews can operate continuously
During an Event
- 24-hour command center — BPUB activates a staffed operations center to monitor, communicate, and coordinate response efforts
- Crew rotations — Teams work in shifts (typically 16 hours) to maintain around-the-clock restoration efforts
- Assessment teams — Dedicated crews survey damage to prioritize repairs
- Coordination — Staff at the City of Brownsville Emergency Operations Center communicate with city, state, and federal agencies
Non-Rotating Outages
Non-rotating outages are unplanned service interruptions not associated with ERCOT grid balancing. These can result from:
- Weather-related equipment failures
- Downed power lines from accidents or storms
- Equipment malfunctions
- Planned maintenance (customers receive advance notice)
- Vehicle accidents involving utility poles
How We Notify Customers
| Outage Type | Notification Method |
|---|---|
| Planned outages | Automated calls/texts to affected customers in advance |
| Unplanned outages | Social media, website, and local media updates |
| Online reports | Email/text updates to customers who report at assist.brownsville-pub.com |
Filing a Damage Claim
If you experienced property damage due to a BPUB-related incident, you may file a claim with our Risk Management Department.
To Submit a Claim
- Complete the online claim form or request a form by mail
- Include copies of:
- Related receipts
- Photographs of damage
- Video documentation (if available)
- Diagram of incident location (if applicable)
Contact Risk Management
Email:risk@brownsville-pub.com
- Mail: BPUB Risk Management Department, P.O. Box 3270, Brownsville, TX 78523-3270