Major Storm Power Outage Bill Seeks Governor's Signature

Legislation making public utilities more accountable in their response to storm-related widespread power outages is heading to Gov. Deval Patrick's desk.

The Legislature passed the bipartisan bill Tuesday, state Rep. Carolyn Dykema (D-Holliston) said in a press release.

Lawmakers were responding to concerns about the major outages after last August and the , she said in the statement. Dykema represents Westborough (precinct 2), Holliston, Hopkinton, Medway (precinct 1) and Southborough (precinct 2 and 3).

Public utility companies would be required to provide customers with estimates, three times per day, about when their electricity will be restored, after a 24-hour damage assessment, the press release said.

The companies also would have to establish and staff a call center for these storms.

"Utilities must also report storm outages to the state and designate a community liaison in each community when implementing an emergency response plan. To enhance that effort, the legislation requires utilities to designate staff at the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency to help coordinate statewide response," according to the press release.

"A key provision of the bill is that any fines assessed to the utilities by DPU for a failure to comply with these requirements and others already required would be distributed to the rate payers."