DPU probes National Grid over storm outages

The Department of Public Utilities has launched an investigation into National Grid’s preparation and response to a powerful windstorm in October that knocked out power to more than a million customers across New England.

As part of the probe into the Oct. 29 storm — which left more than 300,000 Bay State residents in the dark — the department says it will examine the utility company’s response with a focus on “their preparations before the storm, restoration efforts after the storm, and communications with affected communities.”

In an announcement released yesterday, the DPU said based on its findings, the department may slap National Grid with financial penalties and order changes to the way the company goes about restoring power in the wake of powerful storms.

“Electric ratepayers across the Commonwealth should expect the timely restoration of service following extreme weather events,” DPU Chairwoman Angela M. O’Connor said in a statement. “The Department of Public Utilities’ investigation will be fair and thorough, focused on assessing whether the storm response was consistent with existing protocols and determining whether there can be improvements to increase reliability for ratepayers.”

Although both National Grid and Eversource Energy were asked to provide the department with final event reports, the DPU said it felt that only National Grid’s effort required “further investigation.”

Public hearings will be held next month in North Andover and Chelmsford as part of the probe.