Why ECI employees are still working during the pandemic

We are aware that many state and local officials have implemented mandates during the current COVID-
19 pandemic to close non-essential businesses until further notice. Because of this, we have frequently
been asked, “Why are Environmental Consultants (ECI) employees still working?” As an industry leader
in vegetation and asset management around energized power lines, the work ECI performs is critical to
the protection and maintenance of utility infrastructure and plays a vital role in keeping the community
safe. These operations are considered “essential” or “critical” work for utility companies across the
nation and must continue, especially during times of emergency.

In accordance with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure
Security Agency (CISA) mandate, ECI employees are identified as “Essential Critical Infrastructure
Workers” under the “Energy” sector defined as “workers who maintain, ensure, or restore the
generation, transmission, and distribution of electric power” and “vegetation management” workers
who support the electricity industry.

The critical infrastructure we support is the operation of our utility clients’ overhead electric
transmission and distribution systems. In a pandemic crisis, keeping energy flowing to the systems that
support the government and private sector’s ability to respond to the crisis would be of highest
importance (i.e. government offices, police stations, military bases, hospitals, shelters, healthcare and
pharmaceutical facilities, critical industries, etc.). At this time, shelter-in-place restrictions do not apply
to our work. Safe, uninterrupted power is an important service provided by the world’s electrical utilities
and ECI has the expertise to help our clients keep the power flowing.

In our current situation, where many businesses and schools are closed, much of the general public is
working from home and schools are conducting online learning. The uninterrupted flow of power has
never been more important. Additionally, we value the health and well-being of our employees and are
doing everything in our power to ensure their continued safety each and every day. Therefore, we are
following many preventative safety measures and have protocols in place to ensure the health and well-
being of all our employees – and, subsequently, their families.

Sincerely,
Chuck Anderson
President – Environmental Consultants