Officials look to change utility laws

BOSTON (AP) - State officials are pushing for legislation that would fine utility companies up to $500,000 per customer for each day they fail to restore service to consumers.

The Telecommunications Committee held a Wednesday hearing on a series of bills filed by Sen. Jennifer Flanagan, D-Leominster. The bills would also require public hearings before any rate increase, mandate that utilities have enough workers to repair damaged equipment and establish an annual review process for performance.

Secretary of State William Galvin said the current civil penalty if the state finds a company did not act properly to restore service is capped at $1 million. He said that is a "sweetheart deal" for electric utilities.

Officials say the measures are a response to a December ice storm, which left some Massachusetts residents without power for almost two weeks.