Utilities say damage from Sandy exceeded 2011 storms

(Harrisburg) -- Top executives of the power companies hit hardest by superstorm Sandy are defending their response to power outages across central and eastern Pennsylvania. hu

Executives from PPL, PECO and FirstEnergy have told a Senate panel that Sandy caused more damage than Hurricane Irene and other storms that struck the state last year.

Sandy left one-point-two million customers without power at its peak.
It took nine days to restore power, but the utilities say it might have been worse if they had not heeded the lessons of 2011.

They have cited improved planning, better communication with customers and increased cooperation with state agencies.

The chairman of the Senate consumer protection committee agrees the utilities did a great job overall, says they still need to improve communication with customers and local governments.