State probe begins into response to December ice storm

By Jenna Nierstedt, Globe Correspondent

State officials today opened an investigation into utility companies’ response to last month’s ice storm that left about 1 million in New England without power, some for nearly two weeks.

Per a request by Governor Deval Patrick, the Department of Public Utilities is reviewing efforts of the state’s four electric utilities to prepare for, and restore power following, the Dec. 12 ice storm.

“We are going to focus on every aspect of the companies’ performance,” said DPU Chairman Paul Hibbard.

Each electric company has until Feb. 6 to file a report detailing storm response and emergency restoration plans, communication with customers and municipal officials during outages, damage and performance assessment, and proposed modifications, among other things.

“After a large crisis mobilization effort, it is entirely prudent and called for,” said Ashby Selectman Geoff Woollacott, who lost power in his home for more than 10 days. “Obviously, there’s a lot of emotion involved in this case. So it’s good to assess what went right, what went wrong, but we do need to remember that this was a 100-year storm.”

Ashby is holding a selectmen’s meeting tonight where residents are expected to voice their concerns over the companies’ response. The meeting is occurring during another, though less-intense, ice storm.

Members of the public can give their input to the state investigation during a public hearing on Jan. 27 at Memorial High School in Fitchburg. The DPU is also planning to hold an additional public hearing in Lunenburg.

A final report will be made available to the public on the DPU website.

• Comment
• Permalink
• Email