GARLAND, Texas, October 4, 2005 - Garland Power & Light (GP&L) crews, along with crews from other Texas municipal utilities, have successfully restored electric service to Liberty, Texas following extensive damage caused by Hurricane Rita. The GP&L personnel that did the restoration work in Liberty have now moved to nearby Jasper, joining another GP&L crew there.

During the eight days they were in Liberty, GP&L's crew helped restore power to the town of over 8,000 people. Crew Leader Richard Martinez said, "We set about twenty feeder poles and put up a lot of wire." He added, "It's difficult to imagine life without electricity, but the people there had hope in their eyes. One lady cried after we showed up on her street to work."

Liberty's Electric Superintendent Randy Wiggins praised the work done by the GP&L crew. "Your guys really did a great job. We really appreciate their help. We couldn't have done it without them," said Wiggins.

After stocking up on water, Martinez's crew joined the other GP&L crew in Jasper, a town of nearly 8,000. Martinez reports that the damage in Jasper is even more extensive than what they encountered in Liberty. "This will take a little work, probably a couple of weeks," said Martinez. "The system is torn up pretty good, and there are many large trees down in the area."

While in East Texas, GP&L crews have been welcomed by the communities, and provided with food and places to stay. Martinez says the crews are proud of the work they have done, and that everyone is focused on getting the power restored in Jasper.

Currently, crews from Garland, Denton, Floresville, Georgetown and Lampasas are working from dawn until dark to make repairs to Jasper's electric distribution system. Entergy Texas is making repairs to its transmission system that brings electricity into Jasper.

GP&L and other municipalities assisting in the East Texas power restoration efforts will be reimbursed by the cities affected.