November 2, 2009 Mass. utility regulators slam Unitil

BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts regulators have ordered electric utility Unitil Corp. to hire an independent auditor to review its management system after finding that the company failed to meet its obligation to provide safe and reliable service to customers.

The ruling by the Department of Public Utilities on Monday follows an investigation of the New Hampshire-based company's response to a devastating ice storm last December. More than 1,000 had no electricity for 12 days or more after the storm.

Regulators criticized lack of planning and training for a significant storm event and deficient damage assessment efforts.

Unitil was separately ordered to refund natural gas customers more than $4.6 million for overcharges the past two winters.

A spokesman said Unitil has taken steps to strengthen its operations. The company also is reviewing the orders and assessing its options.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)