Regulators probing utilities’ response to powerful storm

HALLOWELL, Maine – The agency that regulates utilities in Maine is opening an inquiry into the preparedness and response of electric companies following a powerful October windstorm that left more than half the state’s population in the dark.

All told, about 400,000 Central Maine Power customers and 90,000 Emera Maine customers lost service, making it the largest power outage in Maine history. It took CMP up to 10 days to restore power to all of its customers.

The Portland Press Herald reports the Public Utilities Commission asked Central Maine Power and Emera Maine to detail their responses and lessons learned within 30 days.

The commission isn’t the only entity looking into the storm response. The state’s public advocate’s office and state lawmakers also are planning inquiries.

___

Information from: Portland Press Herald, http://www.pressherald.com