Hope you come on Wednesday to the hearing-Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers is conducting a regulatory review of the preparedness and restoration efforts by the state's mainland electric utilities related to the damages sustained from Tropical Storm Irene.
Officials are inviting interested residents to a public comment session on Wednesday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. in Pawtucket City Hall, Council Chambers, 137 Roosevelt Ave.
As part of the initial phase of this review, the PUC will afford customers and local governmental officials an opportunity to offer public comment on the issues of mainland electric utilities' storm-season preparedness and post-storm efforts to restore electric services to those customers who lost service.
As with any significant disruption in electric service, the purpose of this review is to fully understand the reasons for the scope and duration of the power outages, and to apply any and all lessons learned to future emergencies, according to a news release. In addition to public comment sessions, the PUC will also be questioning the state's mainland electric utilities for information related to their pre-storm and post-storm activities. At the conclusion of this process, a formal evidentiary hearing will be held before a division hearing officer who will review the record and issue findings and recommendations to the division's administrator.
All public comment locations are accessible to the handicapped.
Individuals requesting interpreter services for the hearing impaired must notify the division clerk's office at 401-780-2107 at least 72 hours in advance of meeting dates.