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Louisiana utility companies ready for Isaac's blow

Utility crews are surveying the power lines and thousands of utility workers from other states are on standby, as Louisiana power companies readied for Tropical Storm Isaac.

Fresh in minds around the state's capital city was Hurricane Gustav, which struck as a Category 2 storm in 2008 — and surprised Baton Rouge with power outages that lasted 10 days or more in many areas.

Public Service Commissioner Jimmy Field, who represents the Baton Rouge area, says he's confident power companies are ready for Isaac, expected to strike as a hurricane.

Sheila Pounders, with Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, says the utility company has spent millions since Gustav on cutting trees and clearing vegetation from the lines and launching new technology to identify trouble areas in the power grid.

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