Above: A National Grid crew working in Southborough after the October snowstorm (contributed photo)
The Department of Public Utilities will hold a public hearing on Tuesday night at Trottier Middle School to discuss the response by National Grid to Tropical Storm Irene, as well as to the October Nor’easter. In both weather events, nearly 90% of Southborough residents lost power for at least 24 hours, with some being in the dark for days.
Frustration in the wake of both storms ran high, and many of you had strong words for National Grid. The public hearing is your chance to have your voice heard by the DPU, which is formally investigating the state’s electrical utilities. From the DPU website:
As part of the investigation, DPU will examine how three of the state’s investor-owned electric distribution companies – National Grid, NSTAR, and Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECo) – responded to the October 29 storm, focusing on the companies’ efforts to prepare before the storm, restoration of electric power, and their communications with affected communities. DPU will also review whether the companies complied with DPU regulations and fully implemented their Emergency Response Plans, which were last filed in May 2011.
The investigation could result in fines and levies against the utilities. National Grid was recently penalized $1.2M by the DPU for its response to a snowstorm back in December 2010.
Tuesday’s public hearing begins at 7:00 pm at Trottier Middle School. See you there?
As important as the swap shop is, isn’t reliable first-world distribution of electricity more important?