JACKSON (WKZO) -- In helping East Coast residents get back to normal after Hurricane Sandy, Michigan-based Consumers Energy is doing something it has never done before.

"We got a call saying 'can you please send some natural gas employees,'" spokesman Dan Bishop tells WKZO. "We've never done that before."

The utility has already sent 300 power line workers to help with electricity restoration in New York and New Jersey. The natural gas workers, Bishop said, are top notch.

"These are folks who know how to assess the damage, make repairs and work closely with the host utility companies," he said.

It is expected the crews will be assisting for a couple of weeks.

Hear the whole Bishop interview from The Lori Moore Show by clicking here.