HAMPTON — Unitil on Monday kicked off “Squirrel Week 2024,” its annual social media campaign aimed at raising awareness of the dangers that nature’s creatures can pose to electrical infrastructure and the risks to its safety as well.
This is the third year that Unitil, a provider of electricity and natural gas to customers in New England, has devoted a week in May to highlighting the challenges posed by squirrels and other wildlife.
Through the unique campaign, Unitil will focus on squirrel-related issues and the company’s efforts to prevent interference with electrical lines and other equipment and keep wildlife safe when they are most active.
According to Unitil data, 11% of power outages within a utility’s service area are specifically related to squirrels, with peak activity typically occurring in the spring. Animal contact as a whole represents about 14% of all system outages
Power outages can be caused by squirrel activity by chewing through lines, building nests on equipment, and sneaking into unwanted areas. When squirrels interfere with electrical lines and equipment, they can cause damage and disrupt power. They can also be harmed or even killed.
“We have found our ‘Squirrel Week’ initiative to be a very effective way to bring attention to an issue that customers and the general public may not think much about,” said Unitil External Affairs Director, Alec O’Meara. “We are all well aware of the threat that inclement weather poses to power lines and other electrical equipment, but the reality is that despite the steps we have taken to add animal guards and other protective equipment in an effort to keep our wildlife safe and to prevent damage to infrastructure, no Some animals are still able to sneak around these safeguards and cause damage.
As part of the campaign, Unitil will donate $500 to each of the following wildlife conservation organizations:
- Wildlife Center, York/Cape Neddick, Maine.
- Mass Audubon Flat Rock Wildlife Sanctuary, Fitchburg
- New Hampshire Wildlife Heritage Foundation.
For more information about Squirrel Week, follow Unitil on Facebook and Twitter @Unitil.
