Wednesday, December 12, 2012
NStar was fined $4 million in responses to Tropical Storm Irene and the October 2011 snowstorm, but already announced it plans to appeal.
The state on Tuesday ordered a total of $24.8 million in penalties to utility companies for their response to storms in 2011. Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan joined Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Chairman Ann Berwick and DPU commissioners today to announce the findings of the DPU’s investigation into responses to Tropical Storm Irene and the October 2011 snowstorm. Provided the penalties hold up, customers should see a reduction in their bill, though it is unclear how much, officials said. National Grid faces the steepest penalty, at $18.725 million; NSTAR has been ordered to pay $4.075 million; and Western Massachusetts Electric Company to pay $2 million. Recognizing that outages are …
Monday, August 27, 2012
It was a storm that left hundreds in Newton without power and more than a dozen streets closed. What can Newton and New England learn from the storm?
It has been almost a year after Tropical Storm Irene hit New England, leaving trees and power lines down, homes damaged and many without power. The storm blew through New England on Aug. 28, 2011, and although much of the Boston-area dodged a bullet in terms of storm damage, Newton residents saw numerous flooded streets, downed wires and uprooted trees. More than a dozen Newton streets were closed following the storm, as trees and downed power lines blocked routes and left some residents stranded in their homes. Hundreds of Newton residents went without power for days as NStar worked to repair and restore downed wires and utility poles. Now that a year has passed since the storm, what have we learned? Share stories with us in the …
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Some Newton customers were without power for days following these weather events in 2011. Does a potential $9.7 million fine for Nstar ease the pain?
Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office is seeking a $9.7 million fine after an investigation revealed Nstar "failed to adequately prepare, respond, and communicate during Tropical Storm Irene and the October 2011 snowstorm." The recommended fine breaks down to slightly more than $4 million for Nstar’s response to the October 2011 snowstorm and $5.7 million for Tropical Storm Irene, according to a press release. The AGO filed a brief Aug. 7, with the state's Department of Public Utilities, which has the authority to levy the fine. According to the AGO investigation, Nstar fell short of its state-required Emergency Response Plan obligations. In particular, Nstar failed “Nstar’s preparation for these storms was woefully inadequate and much …
Thursday, March 1, 2012
The Energy-Smart Newton program is expected to yield a 20 percent reduction in energy costs by 2020.
A new citywide program is aiming to make the Garden City even greener. Standing alongside Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Richard Sullivan, Mayor Setti Warren announced Wednesday the city's new Energy-Smart Newton program. Warren unveiled the new initiative at Chapman Construction, where he was joined by NSTAR representatives, community leaders and business owners. According to a press release issued by the mayor's office, the program will involve energy initiatives on municipal, residential and commercial levels. It is expected to yield a 20 percent reduction in the city's energy by 2020. “This exciting new program shows that Newton continues to lead the commonwealth in pushing the envelope toward reducing energy usage…
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Saturday, February 18, 2012
The state Senate has passed a bill addressing utilities' emergency response, but is it enough?
Many Massachusetts residents spent days in the dark last year after two unusual weather events -- Tropical Storm Irene and an October snowstorm -- wiped out power to hundreds of thousands of homes. Each time, residents joined local and state officials in expressing their disappointment and anger at utility companies who seemed uncommunicative and slow when it came to restoring services. Now, the Massachusetts Senate is taking steps to change the way utility companies respond during emergencies. According to a press release from the Office of Sen. Richard Ross (R-Wrentham), a bill passed by the Senate on Thursday would require public utility companies to do the following: - After a 24-hour assessment period, "provide twice-daily estimates …
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
The DPU will examine three of the state's investor-owned electric companies including National Grid, NSTAR and Western Massachusetts Electric Company.
The Department of Public Utilities announced Tuesday it has opened a formal investigation of the state's three investor-owned electric companies following the Oct. 29 snowstorm that left much of Massachusetts in the dark. According to a press release issued by the DPU Tuesday evening, the investigation will include examination of how the utility companies responded to the storm as well as how they prepared for the power outages. Last week, Newton Mayor Setti Warren issued a statement demanding the DPU look into NSTAR's response and preparation for the October snowstorm that knocked out power for more than 3,200 Newton NSTAR customers. Based on its findings, the DPU could issue fines to the utility companies as well as require the …
Mark Golden
11:08 am on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
The main lesson: It is not nice to fool with Mother Nature. Or the power companies. I did not loose power during Irene. But I did live in South Florida from 2002 to 2010. In 2004 and 2005 we had many REAL Hurricanes. Including Wilma in October of '05 when I was without power for 18 days. OK, no stove or refrigeration. But I had 2 very large coolers, access to a supply of ice, and my gas grill. We… more ›