Allegheny Power

TRI-STATE ? More than 2,000 Allegheny Power customers in the Tri-State area remained without power at 10 p.m. Monday, according to the company's online Outage Management System. It might take until Thursday night for crews to address all of the outages, which were caused by hundreds of cases of downed branches and power lines during strong winds Sunday, Allegheny Power spokesman David Neurohr said. In Washington County, about 270 customers remained without power, and there were more than 25 separate problem spots to address in Smithsburg alone.

ANNAPOLIS - A Western Maryland delegate steamed about a failed light-bulb promotion lobbied Tuesday to outlaw future energy-conservation efforts that leave customers in the dark. Del. Kevin Kelly, D-Allegany, testified for his bill to prohibit the Maryland Public Service Commission from approving any effort like one that went sour for Allegheny Power. He said customers who thought they were getting free light bulbs were "absolutely livid" when they found out they were being charged.

MAUGANSVILLE - Washington County Commissioner John C. Munson blasted Allegheny Power Wednesday night, saying the company wasn't trying hard enough restore power to Maugansville residents after Tuesday night's storms. Allegheny Power restored service to roughly 1,000 Maugansville customers Thursday about 4 a.m., company spokeswoman Janice Lantz said. Lantz said six poles had to be replaced as a result of Tuesday night's thunderstorms. Many residents were without power for more than 24 hours, which Munson called unacceptable.

HANCOCK - The Town of Hancock will receive a $1,039 credit from Allegheny Power for being overcharged, Interim Town Manager Lou Close said at Wednesday night's Town Council meeting. He said he met with Allegheny Power about a week ago to discuss the overcharges.

CLEAR SPRING -- Allegheny Power on Tuesday said the Town of Clear Spring has to repair the foundation of a streetlight at the intersection of Martin and Cumberland streets before a light and pole there can be replaced. Todd Meyers, an Allegheny Power spokesman, said the company ordered a light and a pole to replace the ones that were struck by a vehicle in December, but town officials first have to hire a contractor to lay the proper foundation. Allegheny Power will work with town officials to ensure both parties are aware of their respective responsibilities, Meyers said.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Power was disrupted to about 20 stores near the Martinsburg Mall Monday morning when someone hit an electric line while digging in the area, according to an Allegheny Power official. Power was interrupted about 9:15 a.m. and restored about 2:30 p.m., according to Midge Teahan, spokeswoman for Allegheny Power. Teahan said she did not know who hit the line. It was not an Allegheny Power crew, she said. The power interruption only affected stores around the mall, said Teahan.

A winter storm brew in the background as Allegheny Power worker Bobby Huff of Fairplay works on a power line along Oak Ridge Drive Thurdsay afternoon in Hagerstown.

QUINCY, Pa. -- More than 750 Allegheny Power customers, mostly in Quincy Township, lost power Wednesday evening after a vehicle struck a utility pole on Pa. 316 around 6:30 p.m. Many had power restored by 9:30 p.m., according to an Allegheny Power spokeswoman. The driver was injured and taken to Washington County Hospital, according to Pennsylvania State Police. No other information was available late Wednesday.

By GUY FLETCHER Staff Writer The anticipated move toward competition in the electric supply industry could find the Hagerstown-based Allegheny Power offering electricity to most any home or business east of the Mississippi River, officials said. "We want to be a supplier of choice when choice comes, and we think that's going to happen," Alan J. Noia, president and chief executive officer of the company, said Monday. Allegheny Power is pushing for federal legislation, currently under consideration in Congress, that would repeal existing utility laws and enact new ones.

ANNAPOLIS - Allegheny Power today agreed to stop collecting the surcharge on fluorescent bulbs it had sent out and to refund any surcharge money that has been collected. Allegheny Power proposed the idea and the Maryland Public Service Commission accepted it. Earlier in the day, the PSC took Allegheny Power to task over elements of its light bulb distribution program. PSC members said Allegheny did not follow instructions for clearly notifying customers about an associated surcharge.