DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION
PRESS RELEASE
February 24, 2005
For Further Information Contact:
Scott Larrivee, Public Information
Phone: (608) 266-7362
E-mail: scott.larrivee@doa.state.wi.us
Preliminary reports indicate that a contractor working for the Department of
Administration (DOA) caused the power outages that affected the downtown
Madison area Monday afternoon and evening. The contractor, Eaton Electrical
Services and Systems, was replacing thirteen 5,000-volt circuit breakers
that serve the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus at the time of the
outage. Because the contractor was operating under a contract with the
State, it is the contractor who bears responsibility for any errors that may
have occurred and caused the outage.
The DOA’s Division of State Facilities has ordered a halt to all work on the
circuit breakers until representatives from DOA, the UW, MGE and Eaton
Electrical have a chance to meet, discuss the outage, and consider if any
additional precautions need to take place before completing the project.
