You Ask, Patch Answers

Where Is Winchester's Closest Electric Car Charging Station?

NSTAR and crowd-sourced websites such as CarStations, for example, offer tips and locations for charging electric cars.

Drivers who are considering a switch to electric vehicles or current vehicle owners looking for a place nearby to charge their rides have a couple of places to find their outlet. Charging stations in the Winchester region include 4 Grant St. in Lexington, and Alewife Transit Station and Porter Square Shopping Center in Cambridge, according to crowd-sourced CarStations website. Carstations allows users to upload new car charging locations to a Google map and (when applicable) provides details on the station. According to the site's About section, "This website is designed to encourage participation and welcomes user interaction in the form of comments, updates and user generated content." There are also more official sites providing …

• Photos (2)

NSTAR: Several Winchester Homes Without Power

Several Winchester homes were without power Friday night, according to an NSTAR power outage map.

Several Winchester homes were without power Friday night during the snowstorm, according to an NSTAR power outage map. As of 8 p.m. Friday, eight NSTAR customers in Winchester were without power, according to the power outage map. There are 8,452 NSTAR customers in Winchester, according to the site. Meanwhile, 26,402 of the 1,156,399 NSTAR customers in Massachusetts are without power, which represents about 2 percent of the total customer base, according to the power outage map. It is unclear when power may be restored to the homes currently in the dark in Winchester. Check back with Winchester Patch's Winter Storm Information Center for more updates on the power outage situation. WINCHESTER PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates

• Photos (1)

UPDATED: Power Restored to NSTAR Customers in Winchester Friday Afternoon

Nine NSTAR customers in Winchester were without power as of 8 a.m. Thursday, according to a power outage map. Power was restored by Friday afternoon.

Updated at 2 p.m. Thursday Power has been restored to all Winchester NSTAR customers by Friday afternoon, according to the company's power outage map. As of 2 p.m. Friday, no Winchester NSTAR customers were without power, according to the power outage map. Original Report Nearly a dozen NSTAR customers in Winchester were without power Thursday morning, according to the company's power outage map. Of the 8,452 NSTAR customers in Winchester, nine were without power as of 8 a.m. Thursday, according to the power outage map.  As of 8 a.m., 6,172 NSTAR customers in Massachusetts were in the dark, according to the power outage map.

• Photos (1)

State Fines Utilities Millions for 2011 Storm Responses

NStar was fined $4 million in responses to Tropical Storm Irene and the October 2011 snowstorm, but already announced it plans to appeal.

The state last week ordered fines totaling $24.8 million levied against utility companies for their response to storms in 2011. Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan joined Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Chairman Ann Berwick and DPU commissioners today to announce the findings of the DPU’s investigation into responses to Tropical Storm Irene and the October 2011 snowstorm. Provided the penalties hold up, customers should see a reduction in their bill, though it is unclear how much, officials said.  National Grid faces the steepest penalty, at $18.725 million; NSTAR has been ordered to pay $4.075 million; and Western Massachusetts Electric Company to pay $2 million. Recognizing that outages are …

• Photos (1)

Winchester Businesses Get Powerful

Representatives from NSTAR and Blue Selenium Solar explained how businesses can slash energy costs through energy efficiency and solar power.

On a recent Wednesday night, Winchester businesses gathered at a Town Hall “Power Hour” to learn how to slash energy costs through energy efficiency and solar power.  Experts described quick paybacks for the measures, as short as nine months. At the event, an NSTAR representative spoke about their Direct Install program that provides a free energy audit and NSTAR payment of up to 70 percent for energy efficiency measures such as new lighting and fixtures.   A local businessman, Walter Hubbard, from PC Quickhelp, spoke positively about the process and how the changes had improved the lighting in his office.  Other local businesses, such as the Pairings wine store and Winchester Hospital, also have cut costs through implementing energy …

• Photos (1)

Winchester Hosts Energy Efficiency, Solar Power Seminar for Small Businesses

The Power Hour will be held Wednesday, Nov. 14 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Winchester Town Hall.

The Winchester Chamber of Commerce and Winchester’s Climate Action Committee are holding a meeting for small businesses to provide information regarding energy efficiency and solar measures that save money and improve the bottom line.  A representative from NSTAR will speak about their Direct Install Program for small businesses, featuring a free energy assessment and payment of up to 70 percent of the total cost of retrofitting qualifying lighting and mechanical systems.While the business pays the remaining 30 percent, financing is available at a 0 percent interest rate. A number of Winchester businesses have been through the program and the reaction has been favorable.  In addition, a representative from Blue Selenium Solar will speak …

• Photos (1)

Hundreds of Winchester Homes Still Without Power

NSTAR anticipates having power restored to all of its Winchester customers by Thursday night.

Hundreds of NSTAR customers in Winchester are without power Wednesday morning after Hurricane Sandy paid a visit Monday afternoon. Of the 8,452 NSTAR customers in Winchester, 247 (3 percent) were experiencing power outages as of 8 a.m. Wednesday, according to a power outage map on the NSTAR website. NSTAR anticipates having power restored to all Winchester customers by Thursday night. Winchester hit its peak for power outages Tuesday morning with more than 10 percent of the town in darkness, according to the outage map. The total decreased from 830 to 465 customers Tuesday evening. NSTAR crews began working Monday morning in preparation for the predicted damage. Approximately 1,200 contract personnel from as faraway as Texas and the …

• Photos (1)

NSTAR Crews Responding to Early Damage, Power Outages

Company urges caution for downed lines and stresses generator safety.

See the power outage map from NSTAR here. The following is a press release sent by NSTAR at 2:30 p.m.: As Hurricane Sandy began to impact Massachusetts late this morning, NSTAR crews and contractors began their response to outages across the region. The company is bracing for significant damage and power outages as the storm moves across the area. In advance of the storm’s arrival, the company opened its emergency operations center this morning and staffed its regional work centers across the state. Approximately 1,200 contract personnel from as faraway as Texas and the Midwest are assisting NSTAR’s 3,000 employees in their efforts. These crews are already hard at work and will remain at the ready as the storm progresses. NSTAR’s call …

• Photos (1)

AG Seeks to Fine NStar for Failed Irene, 'Snotober' Responses

Customers from neighboring towns were without power for days following these weather events in 2011. Does a potential $9.7 million fine for NStar ease the pain?

Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office is seeking a $9.7 million fine after an investigation revealed NStar "failed to adequately prepare, respond, and communicate during Tropical Storm Irene and the October 2011 snowstorm". The recommended fine breaks down to slightly more than $4 million for NStar’s response to the October 2011 snowstorm and $5.7 million for Tropical Storm Irene, according to a press release. The AGO filed a brief Aug. 7, with the state's Department of Public Utilities, which has the authority to levy the fine. After the Halloween weekend snowstorm knocked out power to thousands of Stoneham households, power was restored to almost all homes by the following Tuesday morning. According to the AGO investigation, NStar …

• Photos (1)

NSTAR Begins Helicopter Inspections

NSTAR expects to scan the electric transmission facilities in Winchester Monday and Tuesday.

To help ensure the reliability of the region’s transmission system, NSTAR will begin its annual summer helicopter inspections of the electrical equipment on local rights-of-way today. Weather-permitting, the inspections should be completed by the end of the week. “Residents and businesses depend on reliable electric service to power their day-to-day lives,” said Werner Schweiger, NSTAR President. “Our annual helicopter inspections of the transmission lines in Eastern Massachusetts are a critical part of NSTAR’s commitment to providing that reliable service.” Infrared scanning equipment will be used during the inspection of all electric transmission facilities for which NSTAR is responsible in Eastern Massachusetts.  This equipment helps …

• Photos (1)