Governor to be available for media questions on report at 4pm before ribbon cutting
PROVIDENCE, RI - Governor Gina M. Raimondo released the following statement today in response to the DPUC investigation of National Grid. The DPUC's investigation into Grid's preparations and response to the October 2017 storm which left thousands of Rhode Islanders without power for days found that Grid failed to adequately prepare and directly contributed to a 36-hour delay in full power restoration.
"Rhode Islanders deserve better service from National Grid. I ordered this investigation in October because I saw residents in neighboring states get their power back soon after the storm ended, while Rhode Islanders had to wait days.
"The delay was not because crews weren't working quickly enough, it was because Grid's management failed their customers. They failed to communicate. They failed to adapt.
"To ensure that National Grid takes action on these recommendations, I've directed DPUC to require the utility to provide monthly progress reports.
"Unfortunately, because of climate change, storms like the one we saw in October will continue to hit Rhode Island with more and more frequency. National Grid needs to be better prepared to weather our new climate. Shortly after this storm, National Grid asked ratepayers for a rate increase. I will do everything in my power to prevent any increase unless it includes significant investment from Grid's shareholders in modern infrastructure to reduce the number of outages in future storms and speed up restoration efforts."
Governor Raimondo will be available to the media on the corner of Dorrance and Weybosset Streets to discuss the investigation at approximately 4pm, immediately prior to the previously scheduled ribbon-cutting event on Dorrance Street in Providence.
The full report of DPUC's investigation is available at the link included below.
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