MA Won't Investigate Eversource Over Rat-Induced Waltham Power Surges. Officials Ask Why

WALTHAM, MA — Waltham has seen two power surges in the last year cause property damage and even spark fires.

Amid multiple town halls where officials from the utility heard concerns from the company, the state Department of Public Utilities won't investigate Eversource. Now, public officials are challenging that decision.

At the time of the last surge early this summer, Eversource officials said the surge resulted in power outages for approximately 3,000 Waltham customers. City officials also said the outage impacted traffic signals in the city, and it was also blamed for multiple fires in the city.

After a town hall event on June 27 where affected residents spoke, "it’s clear the utility company has lost residents’ trust," city officials said.

Still, in a letter to city officials, the DPU said they met with Eversource on July 21 and were "satisfied with the Company’s explanation of the root cause for these power surge incidents..."

The cause, in short, was due to a rodent infestation inside an electrical conduit, which led to damage that eventually causes an electrical fault. Rodents have been a big problem for Waltham officials, who have tightened garbage regulations as they try desperately to control population growth.

Read more: In 2023, Waltham Officials Aim To Fix Rodent Problem

Eversource officials told the DPU that they would institute animal mitigation efforts and other fixes to address the issue in the future. As a result, the utility won't be formally investigated and left the meeting with only "a strong warning about the recurrence of such incidents," the DPU said in a letter.

City Councilors Jonathan Paz and Colleen Bradley-MacArthur held a press conference on Tuesday to formally and publicly disagree with that outcome.

“The utility companies operate in cities and towns across the Commonwealth, including Waltham, as monopolies and don’t seem to face scrutiny and investigation until it’s too late,” said Paz. “Residents should not have to fear another utility maintenance and infrastructure failure before stronger action is taken.”

“It is unacceptable for the utility companies to operate in Waltham with a bare minimum of oversight and accountability. If the utility company cannot be subject to a formal investigation, it’s time we as a municipality think about how we can be energy independent,” added Bradley-MacArthur.

The duo also issued a call for three actions they want to see taken immediately:

1. The MA DPU to conduct a formal investigation of Eversource, given the two power surges in Waltham, especially as it pertains to maintenance
2. Eversource to provide better communication to residents and city officials, with detailed plans for infrastructure improvement and maintenance
3. Eversource to make residents impacted by this surge whole by reimbursing their out-of-pocket costs

Patch has contacted the DPU for further comment on the decision.