Jefferson Davis Electric Cooperative, Hurricanes Laura & Delta Disaster Recovery
Southwest Louisiana
Jefferson Davis Electric Cooperative (JDEC)
Project Overview
Jefferson Davis Electric Cooperative (JDEC) serves five Louisiana parishes and features 1,594 miles of line. When Hurricane Laura struck on August 27, 2020, JDEC sustained 100% loss of their transmission lines, 100% loss of transmission towers, and 90% loss of distribution system. Notably, while JDEC was recovering from Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta made landfall on October 6, 2020, approximately 20 miles from where Hurricane Laura hit, re-damaging much of the same area. The recovery from these storms took several months and permanent work is ongoing.
Royal mobilized emergency response operations within hours of the first storm, helping JDEC initiate damage assessments as well as debris removal and monitoring activities. Royal supported JDEC in establishing the emergency base camp and instituted a check-in and check-out process to track the influx of support personnel and equipment from fellow co-ops and local contractors utilizing our RoyalVUE storm response platform to effectively manage the entire process end-to-end.
Following the destruction of their system, Royal worked with JDEC to upgrade to a 230kV loop, eliminating the need for separate 138kV and 69kV lines. Royal was contracted by Jeff Davis Electric Cooperative to provide all Program Management activities, including FEMA compliance and reimbursement coordination, management of the Engineer of Record through Preliminary and Final Design, and management of the CMAR Contractors. Royal’s services included Program Management, Grants Management, Construction Management, Resident Inspection, and Environmental Compliance. This project is currently under construction and utilizes galvanized steel structures with steel pile foundations and elevated substations, and will be designed to accommodate current codes, standards, and JDEC’s 160-mph extreme wind load requirement. This 105-mile system is being constructed through populated areas and will cross the Mermentau River, Calcasieu Ship Channel, and the Intracoastal Waterway .
Project Work and Royal Solutions
By working closely with GOSHEP and FEMA, to date, Royal has secured obligations in the amount of $370M with $223M already reimbursed for emergency response efforts. Additionally, we have secured obligations in the amount of $295M of the expected total funding of $378M for the 230kV project.
Our RoyalVUE storm response platform increased the efficiency of field and office work during response and recovery. The enhanced reporting and dashboard capabilities allow for real-time data analysis, which prompted better decision-making by leadership. Through complex data management and streamlined reporting, we were able to help JDEC obtain faster funding reimbursements.
Royal also provided support with Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (EHP) obligations Royal’s environmental compliance team was able to secure all environmental permits required for both projects without any delay to the projects.
Other activities include the establishment and maintenance of an electronic document management system; oversight and assistance with damage assessments; assistance with procurement activities; review and assistance in processing requests for reimbursement; progress and financial reporting to JDEC and GOHSEP; and functioning as liaison with local, state, and federal representatives.
