Sen. Cabrera Issues Statement on PURA Imposing a $30M Fine

Press release from the Office of Senator Jorge Cabrera:

May 10, 2021

HARTFORD, CT – Today, state Senator Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden) released the following statement regarding recent news the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has proposed a $30 million civil penalty on Eversource, the maximum allowed by law, for failing to meet the needs of ratepayers during Tropical Storm Isaias in August of 2020. Three towns Sen. Cabrera represents, Beacon Falls, Bethany and Naugatuck, are in Eversource's service area and were adversely affected by the company's slow response to the tropical storm.

"I am pleased to see PURA take action that is fair, just and in the best interest of the many people across the state impacted by the inactions, missteps and miscommunication of Eversource in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias," said Sen. Cabrera. "What transpired last summer was a massive, consequential failure that caused residents in Beacon Falls, Bethany, Naugatuck and elsewhere in the state to go without power, throw out food and medicine due to it expiring and struggle to get answers from Eversource all during a global pandemic. The penalty imposed by PURA is the right one, and I applaud them for imposing it."

In 2020, Tropical Storm Isaias tore through Connecticut, leaving hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents without power. In certain parts of the state, some were without power for up to nine days. To address Eversource's poor storm response, the General Assembly passed a bill which will require electric utility companies to pay customers a maximum of $250 for spoiled food and medication if a power outage lasts longer than four days. Additionally, for outages lasting longer than 96 hours, customers are to be credited $25 per day. Despite its poor storm performance, in February, Eversource attempted to recover millions of dollars due to costs related to the tropical storm from ratepayers.

About Sen. Cabrera: The senator was the first in his family to attend college, earning a degree in Political Science from Quinnipiac University. The senator is a business representative with UFCW Local 919 and has devoted the last 25 years fighting for working families across the 17th District and country. Sen. Cabrera is Senate Chair of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and Vice Chair of the Labor Committee.

This press release was produced by the Office of Senator Jorge Cabrera. The views expressed here are the author’s own.