Caterpillar Inc. and its dealers are supporting relief efforts with electric power and equipment. Caterpillar last week said it is sending 60 of its largest power modules, each of which is capable of powering 200 to 300 houses. The units are being sent from Brazil where they had been assisting a large project. Also smaller power generation units are being sent from Caterpillar dealerships and rental centers.

Some Caterpillar employees have volunteered to use vacation time to go to the region to assist dealers in getting equipment in place.

For example, Altorfer Inc., based in East Peoria, Ill., sent seven power modules, smaller generators, service trucks and personnel to the region, along with two personal recreational vehicles to be used as sleeping quarters.

Caterpillar’s Solar Turbines Division is sending resources to help its oil and gas customers in the region restore power as quickly as possible. The company is donating the use of large material handlers to municipalities in Louisiana and Mississippi and a large material handler was donated to the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to help rebuild levees in New Orleans. Machines donated to the effort will be topped with fuel before being shipped because of the fuel shortage in the region.

Also the Caterpillar Foundation is matching employee and retiree contributions to the Red Cross and Salvation Army relief efforts.