WMECO officials say they too are monitoring the approaching system.
SPRINGFIELD - National Grid, responding to the volley of complaints and criticisms over its performance in wake of the freak October snowstorm and other severe weather, is gearing up for potential power outages later today and tomorrow.
Abc40 / Fox 6 meteorologist Rick Sluben said additional snow, a coating to several inches, accompanied by wind gusts of up to 50 mph, could bring scattered outages to Western Massachusetts.
According to a release put out by National Grid, the utility has additional crews ready to be deployed to key areas of the service territory and will communicate its plans to communities and municipal officials throughout the region.
The release states “As a direct result of feedback from customers, communities and many of the stakeholders impacted by the recent severe weather events across the Northeast,” National Grid has liaisons available to be deployed to affected communities.”
Both National Grid and Western Massachusetts Electric Co. drew fire during and after the outages, which lasted a week or more in some areas, for both their performance and not keeping communities abreast of their restoration efforts.
WMECO spokeswoman Sandra Ahearn said Friday the utility is monitoring the approaching system.
“We will make a decision this afternoon if we need to hold crews over to manage any system damage,” she said.
National Grid, according to its release, will also have GPS devices for vehicles driven by outside crews as well as those already installed on company vehicles.
“These devices will help to improve communication during the response; provide more precise crew location information and expedite outage restoration efforts,” the release states. “By continuously being prepared, the company hopes to dramatically improve performance and customer satisfaction, while minimizing disruptions in service.”
Marcy L. Reed, president of National Grid in Massachusetts, told Wilbraham officials in wake of the October nor’easter that the damage inflicted by it was unprecedented.
“This is the biggest storm we’ve ever had,” Reed said. “I know I said that after the tornado and I said it again after hurricane Irene. But this is the biggest.”
Of the 176 Massachusetts cities and towns served by National Grid, 172 of those communities suffered power loss. In 38 of those towns 90 percent of the people were without power.
National Grid, meanwhile, has launched the Hampden County Reliability Project which proposes to upgrade National Grid transmission lines and substations in the towns of Palmer, Monson and Hampden to improve the reliability of local and regional electric service.