State Fines Utilities Millions for 2011 Storm Responses

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 …

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NSTAR Offers Safety Tips for Holiday Decorations

Residents are encouraged to be safe when decorating their homes for the holiday season.

In an effort to help residents across Massachusetts remain safe during the holiday season, NSTAR released a list of safety tips regarding the use of home decorations. “Holiday lights have become much more efficient than the older-style bulbs of years past,” said Bill Stack, NSTAR’s energy efficiency spokesman in a statement Wednesday. “With newer technology now available in many more options, today’s lighting displays can help a family save money and energy this holiday season.” Holiday lights using Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) use 90 percent less energy than traditional bulbs, according to NSTAR, and they’re much more durable and can last years longer. Additionally, operating 10 strings of mini-LED lights compared to 10 strings of …

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Nor'easter May Affect Wednesday Commute

Expect mostly rain in the city and snow outside of 495.

A nor'easter will kick up winds and rain throughout the region today, with sleet and snow likely west of Boston and in the higher elevations. According to WHDH meteorologist Chris Lambert, the precipitation should start between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., which would impact the afternoon commute. Atmospheric conditions may convert falling rain into snow in Boston, though that would mean merely a dusting on grass before quickly melting away. The actual rain/snow line is harder to predict. "I don't expect much, if any accumulation in the Boston area, maybe a slushy coating around Rte. 128 on grassy surfaces as rain and snow battle it out for a few hours in the early evening," wrote Lambert on the 7 Weather Blog. "The snow will lose that battle to …

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TELL US: How Has NSTAR's Sandy Response Compared to Irene?

The number of power outages dropped significantly, but many residents were still in the dark for several hours.

As of Thursday evening, about 400 Lexington NSTAR customers were without power, according to NSTAR's outage map. This number represented about 3 percent of the total NSTAR customers in the town. While power may not have been an issue for some, at least 20 percent of local residents spent at least some of the storm in the dark.  During the height of Hurricane Sandy, well over 2,000 NSTAR customers were without power, or more than 15 percent of the town's total power customers. The utility company has been chipping away at the power restorations over the last few days. Although, interestingly, there were more without power for most of Tuesday than during the height of the storm on Monday. According to the NSTAR website, power restoration in …

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NSTAR Crews Responding to Early Damage, Power Outages

Company urges caution for downed lines and stresses generator safety.

The following is a press release sent by NSTAR at 2:30 p.m. As Hurricane Sandy began to impact Massachusetts late this morning, NSTAR crews and contractors began their response to outages across the region. The company is bracingfor significant damage and power outages as the storm moves across the area. In advance of the storm’s arrival, the company opened its emergency operations center this morning andstaffed its regional work centers across the state. Approximately 1,200 contract personnel from as faraway as Texas and the Midwest are assisting NSTAR’s 3,000 employees in their efforts. These crews arealready hard at work and will remain at the ready as the storm progresses. NSTAR’s call center is fully staffed and ready to field …

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One Year Later: What Did You Learn from Tropical Storm Irene?

A year after the storm hit, what lessons did New England learn from Tropical Storm Irene passing through?

It has been almost a year after Tropical Storm Irene hit New England, leaving trees and power lines down, and many without power.  Earlier this month, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced that she is seeking to fine NStar $9.7 million for "failed responses" in both Irene and "Snowtober." Nstar has challenged the fine, and Nstar released a statement the same day disagreeing with Coakley's assessment. "Nstar Electric customers fared better than others in Massachusetts and throughout New England," the statement said. In the statement, Werner Schweiger, President of NSTAR Electric said that all storms are opportunities to "identify areas of improvement," but that "we have not reached a stage where technology is resistant to storm damage…

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AG Seeks to Fine Nstar for Failed Irene, 'Snotober' Responses

Some Lexington customers were a long time without power 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 …

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NSTAR Gas Prices Could Drop in May

The supply price for natural gas is expected to drop by 27 percent.

There is some good news in the works for Lexington residents who use NSTAR for gas.  Customers can expect to see the supply price of natural gas drop by 27 percent by May 1, compared to last year, according to an announcement Tuesday by NSTAR.  The company submitted a new supply for its off-peak season of about $0.35 per therm, a drop from about $0.47. If the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities approves the move, the average NSTAR customer who uses natural gas for heating, cooking and/or hot water will pay about $4.60 a month less than last year. "NSTAR Gas customers continue to benefit from plentiful supplies and lower prices,” said Tom May, NSTAR Chairman, President and CEO in a statement. "A growing number of customers are …

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NSTAR: Natural Gas Customers Could See Price Reductions

NSTAR announces if a proposal is approved by the state, gas customers could see a 16 percent drop in heating prices by Feb. 1.

NSTAR Gas customers may see some relief in their winter heating costs. According to a press release put out by the utility company earlier this week, NSTAR customers can expect a mid-winter price cut thanks to a "continued steady decline in natural gas prices." "NSTAR’s current supply price, which is already significantly less than last winter, will drop by 16 percent on Feb. 1 if the company’s proposal is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities," the release states. What this means for customers, NSTAR states, is that on average, the new lower supply price will save NSTAR customers who heat with natural gas about $15 a month compared with current rates and a total of about $30 a month compared to last winter. “Along …

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Town Manager Tuesdays

Town Manager Tuesdays: Saving Money and Electricity

Lexington Town Manager Carl Valente provides details about ongoing tree-trimming, NSTAR's plans for reducing future service interruptions and how a recent bond sale should save $2.4 million in taxpayer debt over the next 10 years.

  There is never a shortage of interesting work going on at Town Hall, but my short report below should be of interest to all of our residents. 1.) Tree Trimming –NSTAR has contracted with Asplundh Tree Service to prune street trees on approximately 70 streets in town. Given the recent outages from the past storms, NSTAR’s contractor will be using a 10-foot by 10-foot by 15-foot clearance around the wires. The specific streets where work will be done have been posted on the town website. The work will take approximately 3 to 4 weeks. Residents with questions can contact Public Grounds Superintendent Chris Filadoro at 781-274-8355.  Members of the Board of Selectmen and town staff also had a meeting with NSTAR officials last week. The …

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