Unitil presents new emergency plan

Officials with an electric utility that came under intense criticism for its response to an ice storm that paralyzed central Massachusetts two years ago say they have developed a new emergency response plan.

Unitil officials on Tuesday presented their plan to the Fitchburg City Council. More than 1,000 customers from Fitchburg and several nearby communities were without power for 12 days after the December 2008 ice storm.

The utility says under the plan, all employees will be trained for a second job, planning for major storms will start three days in advance, and communications will be streamlined.

Unitil officials tell The Sentinel and Enterprise newspaper the plan complies with state and federal guidelines.

State Rep. Stephen DiNatale commended Unitil, but said the utility still has work to do to restore public trust.