The recent storm and resultant power outages are evidence that the current utility policies of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine are grossly deficient in that they do not require that utility electrical lines be placed underground. There is absolutely no excuse for sagging power lines to cause the closure of Interstate 95, an essential and critical New England travel route.

The news reports are full of accounts of fallen trees and impaired utility poles causing electrical outages that result in life safety and economic situations imperiling many individuals and businesses. The current policy of tree removal and resultant limb trimming is ineffective and does not result in an effective policy response.

A more effective policy would require that all electrical utility transmission and local distribution lines be installed underground and that our monopoly utility distribution providers be required to file for justified exceptions from situations that may require exceptions from said policies.

Frederic W. Coulon

Rockport

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