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Power Outages / Power Companies

Bolton recieves power from two electric companies, National Grid and Hudson Light and Power. But what happens when a storm brings damage to the town of Bolton? What is the process that occurs? Why doesn't my street get fixed right away?
 
Every major storm event can cause damage to trees, poles, and wires. Before anyone can work on the damage, the situation must be made safe. Verizon (phone) and Comcast (internet/phone/tv) will not work on any poles or damaged wires until the electrical work is completed. Its a "top down" approach to pole repair. And it is the safest way to get things back to normal.
National Grid Customers
The first step to helping get power restored is to report the outage. If you have internet access via a smartphone or other device (laptop, tablet), residents are urged to report the loss of service here: National Grid Reporting Page. If you do not have internet access, you can report by phone to the following numbers:
 
  • To report wires down: 1-800-322-3223
  • To report outages: 1-800-465-1212
  • For those with life sustaining equipment in your home: 1-800-322-3223

So why is this important? National Grid uses each call to map out where the outages are. As the calls pile up, they can determine where the actual damaged line or device is, simply by mapping out their circuits and the calls as they come in. This process can also help them figure out what equipment may need to be replaced.

In cases like Hurricane Irene, National Grid has two phases of operation. The first phase is a public safety phase. This is where they come out, cut power to live downed wires, remove trees from lines, and open roadways for emergency vehicles to respond to calls for service. The second phase may occur a day or two or more after. This is the repair phase. As a homeowner without power, it can be frustrating to see a truck on your road, clearing a tree, but still not have power soon thereafter. This is most likely because they are making the area safe before working on restoration.

So who gets power first? Is there someone I can call to get priority? The answer to this is no.
 
However, if you have life sustaining medical equipment in your home, please call the number above
 
If it is an immediate response that is needed, call 9-1-1 and the ambulance will help get you to the proper medical facility.
 
National Grid first fixes the main feeds into town. This includes a site survey of the segment they are about to repower prior to "flipping the switch". They approach the overall recovery based on the most customers served per each repair. So if the line on your street affects 100 customers, and the line on the other street affects 50, they will repair the 100 customer line first.
 
Don't forget that these "feeds" into town come to us from other towns! Their damages could be holding up the repairs on our side.
 
National Grid also maintains an webpage full of updates and other usefull information. Check it out!

Hudson Light and Power

Hudson Light and Power is a not-for-profit municipal electric utility. They can be contacted by this process: 978-568-8736
 
When you lose electric power, first check your circuit breakers and/or fuses. Once you're sure the failure is not an internal problem, call us at 978-568-8736. If it’s a weekend or holiday, after 5 p.m. or before 8 a.m., call 562-2368. We'll need to know your:
 
  • Name
  • Address
  • Phone Number
  • How long has the power been out
  • Are there wires down around your home
No matter which company it is, ALWAYS follow these rules
 
  • NEVER TOUCH A DOWNED WIRE
  • DON'T USE A GRILL IN YOUR HOUSE
  • ONLY USE STANDBY GENERATORS THAT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY INSTALLED
  • NEVER CUT OR TOUCH A TREE TOUCHING A WIRE