Combined, NStar and National Grid had roughly 800,000 customers lose power at the peak of the storm. By yesterday evening, they had restored electricity to all but 112,000 - 29,000 at NStar and 83,000 at National Grid.
“By the end of Friday, we’re hoping to have about 90 percent of our customers back, leaving about 50,000 to get to on Saturday and Sunday,’’ said Marcy Reed, president of National Grid’s Massachusetts operations. “Right now, we are focusing on restoration and the attorney general’s office knows that.’’
Reed said the company will respond to Coakley’s request for information as soon as possible.
At NStar, spokeswoman Caroline Allen said the utility has been in constant contact with state and local officials and customers about restoration efforts, and welcomed the attorney general’s inquiry, calling it an opportunity to discuss how NStar could “improve our responses to customers.’’
In recent years, Coakley has become more aggressive about monitoring how the state’s utilities handle outages and other problems caused by storms. Her office investigated National Grid’s response to a snowstorm late last year that left some customers without power for 36 hours. National Grid ultimately agreed to a settlement worth more than $2.2 million, including payments to the United Way and Red Cross, and training for local safety authorities.
Following a devastating 2008 ice storm that left some Unitil customers without power for up to two weeks, Coakley recommended stiff fines for the company. The utility was ordered to conduct a management audit at its own expense, but was not fined specifically for its performance.
Coakley said her scrutiny of the utilities’ response to Irene is mostly routine, but her office has heard complaints from local officials and customers frustrated with what they see as a lack of detailed information about when their power will be restored.
“I don’t know if we can give them satisfaction,’’ Coakley said, “but at least they know we are asking for answers.’’
Erin Ailworth can be reached at eailworth@globe.com or on Twitter @ailworth.
