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 the Commonwealth 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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Get the Latest On Power Outages in Town

The latest from NSTAR as of last night. We will be updating this story as the situation progresses so check back often.

UPDATED: All Power Should Be Restored by Tonight NSTAR States

Three days after Hurricane Sandy about 0.8 percent of Burlington is without power.

Updated Nov. 1 at 12:58 p.m. According to NSTAR there are now 90 Burlington customers, or about 0.8 percent, still without power.    NSTAR stated on its site that all power should be restored in Burlington not later than tonight. Updated Oct. 31 at 12:43 p.m. According to NSTAR there are now 453 Burlington customers, or about four percent, still without power.   NSTAR is still saying it may take until Thursday night before all power is restored. How about you? What is your situation? Updated Oct. 30 at 11:41 p.m. According to NSTAR there are now 936 Burlington customers, or about eight percent of the Burlington coverage area, still in the dark. NSTAR has not stated specifically when the company expects full power to be restored but did …

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Updated: NSTAR Reporting Over 3,000 Burlington Homes in the Dark

Is there power in your neighborhood?

Updated 6:45 p.m. NSTAR is now reporting that 3,578 Burlington customers are now without power. One good thing is that the National Weather Service is reporting it will be slightly warmer tonight than it has been recently. We should have an overnight low of around 60 degrees. Still, if you have elderly neighbors please check on them if your area is out of power. Original story: Hurricane Sandy is leaving some Burlington residents in the dark. According to NSTAR, there are currently 1,018 Burlington customers without power. According to Burlington Patch readers, power is out on Wing Terrace, the Pine Glenn area, Forbes Avenue, Pinewold Avenue, Cedar Street and College Road. Is the power out in your neighborhood? Let us know where power is …

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Manhole Explosion Causes Power Outages

Emergency crews and NStar restoring power to the Middlesex Turnpike, Terrace Hall Avenue area.

  Emergency crews and NStar responded to a manhole explosion on Middlesex Turnpike at Terrace Hall Avenue that caused widespread power outages in the area.  Initial calls of the power outages came in at roughly 7:45 p.m. Tuesday night.  Lt. Glen Mills of the Burlington Police Department said that at approximately 8:45 p.m. most of the power was back on and NStar will work until all power is restored. "Hopefully they will have all the power back on before rush-hour traffic tomorrow," said Lt. Mills. The police lieutenant added no one was injured and there were no reports of property damage.  Did you lose power? Is it back on? Tell us in the comments!

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

Many Burlington customers were without power for many days 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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Updated: Power Outages Reported in Burlington This Morning, Now Restored

There were multiple reports of outages around town this morning.

Update at 10:55 a.m.: NSTAR spokesman Mike Durand told Patch that the outages began at 7 a.m. this morning after a tree limb fell on wires on Bedford Road and originally affected roughly 5,000 customers. Most customers had power back within an hour and full power was restored by 9 a.m. Durand added that a tree limb would not normally cause such wide-spread outages but the downed wires were close to a electrical circuit at a nearby sub-station and that exacerbated the problem. Original story: There were many reports of power outages around Burlington this morning, including traffic lights on Middlesex Turnpike. Mike Durand, a spokesman for NSTAR told Patch that the power has been restored. He added that he is currently looking into what …

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NSTAR: Power Outages in Burlington

An NSTAR representative said there are multiple customers without power in Burlington due to equipment damage.

Some Burlington residents are without power due to damaged equipment. An NSTAR representative said customers in the Foster Road area are currently without power. A Patch reader also reported power being out in the Ellen Road area. NSTAR said the power is out due to damage to high voltage equipment. Power is expected to be restored by 7:30 p.m. this evening. Any customers that experience continued outages after 7:30 p.m. can call NSTAR at (800) 592-2000.

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Cummings Properties Shines New Light on Energy Efficiency

15,000 Burlington lights to be powered by new, energy-efficient technology.

The following is release from Cummings Property:  Cummings Properties is pleased to announce the completion of a major energy efficiency project that will save 5.5 million kilowatt hours annually, or enough electricity to power 550 typical homes for a year. Burlington’s 101 Cambridge Street was a beneficiary of the upgrade. One of the most extensive efforts of its kind in the region, the project involved the replacement of nearly 15,000 light fixtures throughout 40 buildings in Burlington, Woburn, Stoneham and Sudbury. It is expected to save tenants an estimated $900,000 in utility charges annually. The Woburn-based firm recently completed a similar sized lighting retrofit project at the two-million square foot Cummings Center in Beverly…

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