AVANGRID has a responsibility to keep your electricity flowing and our homes warm, no matter the crisis.

COVID-19 was a unique disaster to strike our world and continues to affect our daily lives; however, given that ours is an essential service, we regularly plan and prepare for disasters so that we can mitigate them when the time comes.

As the novel coronavirus began threatening our operations here in the United States, we sprang into action to protect our grid and give important aid to those in need in our communities.

AVANGRID and the Avangrid Foundation are investing $1 million each to support the coronavirus response and recovery in our service territories, with $350,000 going to Maine and New York, and another $300,000 being divided between Massachusetts and Connecticut.

In addition, we were proud to donate 31,000 masks to healthcare workers on the front lines of this pandemic, giving our communities the protection they need to defeat this virus.

“As providers of essential energy services, we are integral to the economic life in the towns and cities where we operate, and we have a special responsibility to assist our customers and communities during this difficult time,” said Tony Marone, CEO of Avangrid Networks. “We have targeted organizations that are well positioned to assist those in need, providing critical community services and energy assistance, as well as resources for struggling businesses.”

A Widespread Challenge Needs a Broad Solution

Unfortunately, a viral pandemic like this one affects a tremendous amount of people, small businesses, government agencies and nonprofits. That’s why we made the critical, strategic decision to allocate funding across a wide range of organizations and people, including:

• Local American Red Cross centers
• Operation Fuel
• Local United Way organizations
• Local business chambers
• Local food banks
• And other disaster relief programs that help give food, shelter, fuel, and medical care to folks in the communities in which we operate.

The disaster relief funds are being transferred to our operating companies so that they can deploy those funds with local knowledge and care. Given that one of our core values is “collaborative,” it’s  important to us that we work closely with our local communities to ensure that they are getting the type of care and assistance that they need most.

The nonprofits are grateful for the support.

“We are predicting a dramatic rise in the number of applications for utility assistance, and we believe that this increased demand will last at least several months and probably even longer. It is with great appreciation that AVANGRID is providing this grant to help support their customers beyond the [shutoff] moratorium, as this additional funding will enable us to address the increased demand for assistance and serve additional families struggling to pay their energy and utility bills,” said Brenda Watson, Executive Director of Operation Fuel, a home heating assistance organization based in Connecticut.

Many of our customers are asking how they can help. We recommend starting with your local nonprofit organizations, like the American Red Cross, United Way, food banks and business chambers, who can help point you toward the best way to donate your time, energy, or gift donations.

During times of crisis, our teams are here to ensure you have the energy you need to live and work. To all our teams here at AVANGRID who are working in the field and volunteering in their communities, we thank you deeply for your efforts, and we stand with you to overcome this crisis!