March 3, 2004
In response to several recent incidents
involving unreported damage to its electrical system,
NSTAR Electric today unveiled an aggressive new plan to
detect and prevent such safety issues in the future.
NSTAR’s plan details enhanced steps it is
taking to ensure public safety.
“NSTAR takes very seriously the incidents that have
led to pets coming in contact with electrical current in
Boston neighborhoods,” said Werner Schweiger, NSTAR
Senior Vice President of Electric and Gas Operations.
“Beginning today NSTAR is stepping up
inspections and testing of manholes to discover any
unreported damage to our equipment.
We will also reach out to private contractors to
alert them of the need to inform electric companies of
any work near, or damage done to, underground cables and
equipment.”
Details of NSTAR’s plan include:
- Inspecting approximately 30,000 manhole enclosures for evidence of unreported damage.
- Incorporating the testing for energized gratings into all manhole inspection and entry procedures for NSTAR workers.
- Conducting outreach programs with all contractor companies to emphasize the importance of established notification procedures for all work near, or damage caused to, underground electric cables.
- Proposing amendments to existing laws to increase the penalties for failure to report work near, or damage caused to, underground electric cables.
NSTAR Electric and Gas transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas to1.4 million customers in Eastern and Central Massachusetts, including 1.1 million electric customers in 81 communities and nearly 300,000 gas customers in 51 communities.
