MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Xcel Energy Inc. is sending crews from Minnesota and other parts of its service area to the East Coast to help restore power in the wake of superstorm Sandy.

Thirty Minnesota lineman and six managers, safety consultants and fleet mechanics volunteered to deploy with equipment and trucks from the Twin Cities early Wednesday.

The Minnesota crews, along with eight linemen from Northern States Power-Wisconsin, will travel to West Virginia, where they will help restore power to customers of American Electric Power Co.

Judy Poferl, president and CEO of NSP-Minnesota, says AEP specifically asked for Xcel Energy crews.

Xcel crews also are being deployed to help on the East Coast from the company’s Denver-based Public Service Co. of Colorado and Southwestern Public Service Co, based in Amarillo, Texas.

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