MA Dept. of Public Utilities Opens Investigation of Dec. Ice Storm Response
The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has opened an investigation into efforts by the state’s electric utilities to prepare for and restore power following the Dec. 12, 2008, ice storm. The DPU will review how the state’s four electric utilities prepared for the storm, and their implementation of emergency storm plans.
Governor Deval Patrick last month called for the DPU to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the utility companies’ response to the storm, which left some utility customers without power for nearly two weeks.
"We are going to focus on every aspect of the companies’ performance" said DPU Chairman Paul Hibbard. "Our investigation will examine each company’s storm response and emergency restoration plans, including their preparation for and management of restoration efforts, intercompany cooperation such as the sharing of response crews, the procurement and allocation of out-of-state mutual aid crews, communications with state and local public safety officials, and dissemination of information to the public."
The DPU directed each electric company to file by Feb. 23 reports detailing the following:
- restoration plans and assessments of performance;
- determination of crew needs and allocation of company crews, contractor crews, mutual aid crews, and tree crews;
- damage assessments;
- descriptions of outage tracking and field dispatch coordination;
- prioritization of outage repairs;
- call center operations during the storm;
- descriptions of communications with municipal officials and agencies;
- descriptions of communications with customers during outages;
- descriptions of vegetation management procedures;
- identification of company practices that require improvement, and proposed modifications.
To provide an opportunity for public participation and comment, the DPU will hold a public hearing within the service territory of each electric company and is also accepting written comments. The first public hearing will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27.
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