Free Republic

Attorney General Martha M. Coakley on Thursday proposed a $16.3 million fine against National Grid, saying the giant utility failed to communicate effectively, neglected to mobilize enough crews and was delinquent in responding to thousands of fallen wires during last year's October snow storm and Tropical Storm Irene. ... Deborah Drew, a spokeswoman for National Grid in New England, issued a prepared statement, saying company officials "strongly disagree with the extreme conclusions of the attorney general. Drew said she would not comment beyond the statement. She said the company will file its formal response on Wednesday with the state Department...