Blackout prompts lawsuits

Those of you who'd yield to utility companies' supposed blamelessness no matter how negligent they are in a blackout might find your concessions lapsing once you read this story.

Last month, the Northeast faced a power outage reminiscent of the one that dogged Cincinnati in September. Some areas in New Hampshire lost power for 2 weeks. Now, Massachusetts residents are suing electricity provider Unitil for negligence because it took so long to restore power.

The suit also says Unitil ought to leave the state unless it mends its ways.

Unitil is known for charging exorbitant rates and for its frequent outages even in calm weather. (Sound familiar?) Unitil is so incompetent that legislators have demanded an inquiry by utility regulators.

(Source: http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D95N2P4O1.htm)