$4 Million Fine From WMECO Sought For Snowstorm Response

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is recommending a $4 million fine from Western Massachusetts Electric Company for  its response to the massive power outages caused by last October’s big snowstorm.   WAMC”s Paul Tuthill reports.

      In a legal brief filed this week with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, the attorney general described the power company’s communication efforts as  “woefully inadequate”  She said  WMECO  should be penalized for failing to comply with emergency response plans which call for it to keep the public and local officials up to date on power restoration efforts.  WMECO spokesperson Sandra Ahearn said a formal response will be filed with the DPU next week.

      The storm knocked out power for tens of thousands of homes and businesses…some for up to nine days…