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Municipal utilities and advocates press committee to clarify mutual‑aid protections for MLP crews
Summary
Municipal light department leaders and Energy New England told the committee H.3486/S.2252 and H.3330/S.2277 are needed to protect municipal utility crews who travel to help restore power and to clarify liability and employment protections across jurisdictions.
Representatives of municipal light departments and joint action agencies told the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy that two pairs of bills would fill gaps in protections for municipal utility crews who respond to emergencies and to non‑emergency mutual‑aid requests.
Michael Cloutier, general manager of the Middleton Electric Light Department and chair of the MEAM legislative committee, described the municipal light plant (MLP) model in Massachusetts and said locally owned nonprofits reinvest revenue into infrastructure and deliver lower rates. “Together, these locally owned utilities serve nearly 15% of the Massachusetts electric customers,” Cloutier said, and he urged support for H.3486 and H.3330 and their Senate companions.
Vincent Raguchi, chief strategy…
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