TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey’s electricity providers did a good job bringing in thousands of out-of-state linemen and tree trimmers before Superstorm Sandy struck, but they failed at communicating with customers and mayors after that storm and a subsequent nor’easter, which darkened 2.7 million homes and businesses for up to 13 days.

That assessment from Bob Hanna, president of the Board of Public Utilities, the agency that regulates the energy companies, came Wednesday during the third Senate Budget Committee hearing on the storm, this one focused on the utilities’ response and what improvements might be made.