As a critical infrastructure industry, the electric power sector has been preparing for a flu pandemic for several years. With the recent swine flu outbreak, electric companies are monitoring news and health reports and are prepared to execute their business continuity plans for pandemic if necessary.

Electric companies have a strong track record of preparing for many kinds of emergencies that could impact their ability to generate and/or deliver power. However, planning for a pandemic is unique from other business continuity planning because it requires businesses to prepare to operate with a significantly smaller work force, a threatened supply system, and limited support services, possibly for an extended period of time. The business continuity and pandemic plans developed by electric companies are designed to protect the people working for them and ensure operations and infrastructures are properly supported.

• Learn more about how the electric power industry is preparing for a flu pandemic.
• Read the Electric Perspectives article, Worst-Case Scenario, about the industry’s pandemic preparations.