Investigation by the Department of Public Utilities on its Own Motion into the Preparation and Response of the Massachusetts Electric Distribution Companies to the December 12, 2008 Winter Storm.

On January 7, 2009, the Department of Public Utilities (“Department”), issued an Order opening an investigation into efforts by each of the state’s electric utility companies to prepare for, and restore power following, the winter storm that occurred on December 12, 2008 (“Winter Storm 2008"). The Department is conducting this investigation pursuant to the Department’s general supervisory authority over electric distribution companies established in

G.L. c. 164, § 76, as well as its authority to establish service quality standards and review service quality performance by electric and gas companies pursuant to G.L. c. 164, § 1E. The investigation into the preparation and performance of Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light(“Fitchburg”) during Winter Storm 2008 has been docketed as Company d/b/a Unitil

D.P.U. 09-01-A.

The Department will conduct public hearings to receive comments about Fitchburg’s preparation and performance during Winter Storm 2008. The first hearing will take place on Tuesday

615 Rollstone Street, Fitchburg, Massachusetts 01420. A second hearing will take place on Tuesday, February 3, 2009, from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Auditorium, 1079 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, Massachusetts 01462-1432. Any person who desires to comment may do so at the time and places noted above or submit written comments to the Department not later than the close of business (5:00 p.m.) on February 5, 2009.

An original of all written comments must be filed with Mary L. Cottrell, Secretary, Department of Public Utilities, One South Station - 2nd Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, not later than the close of business on the date noted above. Three (3) copies of all written comments must also be sent to Joan Foster Evans and three (3) copies to Laura Koepnick, Hearing Officers, at the Department of Public Utilities.

All documents should also be submitted to the Department in electronic format using one of the following methods: (1) by e-mail attachment to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , hearing officers; or (2) on a 3.5" disk or CD-ROM. The text of the e-mail, disk label, or CD-ROM must specify: (1) the docket number of the proceeding (D.P.U. 09-01-A); (2) the name of the person or company submitting the filing; and (3) a brief descriptive title of the document. The electronic filing should also include the name, title, and telephone number of a person to contact in the event of questions about the filing. Text responses should be created in either Corel WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, or Adobe Acrobat (version 7 or higher). Data or spreadsheet responses should be compatible with Microsoft Excel (version 2000). The Department strongly encourages filers to avoid submitting scanned files but will accept them for posting when an alternative version does not exist in electronic format. All documents submitted in electronic format will be posted on the Department’s website: http://www.mass.gov/dpu. in the Lunenburg High School, January 27, 2009, from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Memorial Middle School.

Senator Flanagan testifies at the Dept. of Public Utilities Hearing, January 27th