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Pastore center continues its return to power

12:44 AM EDT on Monday, July 16, 2007

All but two buildings at the Pastore Complex had electrical power last night, although some continued to rely on generators, according to a statement from the state Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals.

Fifteen rented auxiliary generators — “super” generators able to provide full power, including air conditioning — were at work yesterday, along with some power coming from both the complex’s internal power plant and National Grid.

Telecommunications were also “fully operational” throughout the complex, which was plagued with power difficulties throughout last week.

The buildings without electricity are Barry Hall and Louis Pasteur, both administrative buildings. Both are expected to have power by this morning, thanks to new generators that were being connected last night. Employees who work in Barry Hall are asked to report to work at 8:30 a.m., and won’t be allowed in before then.

The complex comprises 100 state buildings, including the Eleanor Slater Hospital and the Adult Correctional Institutions.

“Heightened security is in effect across the Pastore campus,” the MHRH statement said.

Meanwhile, crews are working on replacing damaged feeder lines in the hope that buildings can be reconnected to the electrical grid this week.

All patient areas at the Eleanor Slater Hospital “continue to be stable,” the statement said.

All Department of Corrections facilities were “operating normally” yesterday, although three prison buildings were powered by generators.

The troubles started July 8, when fires broke out in underground power lines, cutting several buildings off from the complex’s power plant. Phones and Internet service also went down.

Then on Wednesday, an electrical surge blew out underground power lines serving 23 buildings. More trouble came Friday, when smoke and flashes of light, caused by another power surge, shut down Barry Hall.

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