July 28, 2009 — Jen Benson was profiled as a Woman Legislator to Watch by the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus:
On December 11, a severe ice storm devastated a number of communities in central Massachusetts. The inadequate response by certain utility companies in the period that followed left some residents without power (and heat) for weeks.
For incoming State Representative Jennifer Benson (D - Lunenburg), the storm was a call to action. She met locally with elected officials and residents before she even took office to try to make things better and ensure a faster cleanup and response by utility companies.
Upon taking office, Rep. Benson filed "An Act regarding accountability of public utility companies."
The bill strengthens oversight of public utilities, requiring companies to seek approval of their emergency management plans and mutual aid agreements from the Department of Public Utilities. The bill also increases fines to act as a disincentive for failure to follow emergency plans, and allows non-complying companies to be placed into receivership.
The bill passed the House unanimously on June 3, following an impassioned speech by Rep. Benson on the House floor. The measure currently awaits passage by the Senate.
