Tagged: utilities

In Massachusetts people are preparing themselves for the storm by making sure they have the necessary emergency supplies. Bart Raser, Owner of Carr Hardware, which has locations throughout Berkshire County, says it’s a busy week with customers stopping in to pick anything they’ll need for Sandy’s arrival.

More than 150 of Connecticut Light & Power's unionized linemen say staffing levels at the electric utility are inadequate and are putting workers at risk.

The union, which has been without a contract since June, says the utility has about 400 linemen, fewer than it had last October when a snow storm left tens of thousands of customers without power for days.

Tricia Taskey Modifica, a spokeswoman for the utility, says staffing levels are on par with other utilities across the nation, and says hundreds of crews are brought in from out of state when an emergency strikes.

Worries about health effects, privacy and cost are fueling growing opposition to wireless, digital "smart meters" that utilities around the country are installing on homes and businesses and touting as key energy conservation and grid reliability tools.  WAMC’s Tristan O’Neill reports…

Vermont appears poised to take an unusually aggressive stance. While several states have allowed utilities to charge a fee to customers who want to opt out of smart meters, Vermont's governor is expected soon to sign legislation that would allow customers to say no without paying anything extra.

This could be the climactic week in an effort by some Vermont lawmakers to get the Legislature to intervene in the proposed merger of Vermont's two largest electric utilities.  WAMC's Tristan O'Neill reports...

The House may be asked to debate a measure that would have the Legislature direct the Public Service Board on how $21 million is repaid to customers of Central Vermont Public Service Corp.

Connecticut utility regulators have given preliminary approval to a settlement with the state that would help clear the way for Northeast Utilities to purchase Massachusetts energy company NStar for $4.9 billion.  WAMC's Tristan O'Neill reports...

The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority said Monday it believes the deal is good for ratepayers. It expects to give final approval next week after allowing the parties time to raise any final issues.