Impose Sanctions On Eversource For Bad Storm Response, Mayor Says

NORWALK, CT — For its poor response to the widespread outages in Norwalk and throughout Connecticut after Tropical Storm Isaias, Eversource should receive sanctions and penalties, Mayor Harry Rilling and city officials said this week.

On Tuesday, the city filed a motion with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority calling on the group to essentially discipline Eversource as part of the investigation into the utility company's preparedness and response to the Aug. 4 storm. Norwalk also wants in on the investigation.

Norwalk and surrounding towns were ravaged by the storm, which left thousands of Eversource customers without power for days. Frustrations mounted during the slow restoration process because many streets appeared to be barely touched by crews.

"Tropical Storm Isaias wreaked havoc in Norwalk and as it took more than a week for all residents to have their power restored," Rilling said in a statement. "The abysmal response by Eversource and the complete lack of transparency and communication from company executives revealed a profoundly flawed power delivery system in Connecticut."

Lawmakers this week grilled Eversource over the company's poor storm response, and its recent rate hikes.

Unlike most other communities, Norwalk's power needs are served by three utility companies, Eversource, South Norwalk Electric and Water and the Third Taxing District Electric Department. Of the three, Eversource struggled the most in restoring power to its local customers.

"I am so grateful to our local providers – South Norwalk Electric and Water (SNEW) and Third Taxing District (TTD) Electric Department – which restored their customers quickly and then assisted Eversource to bring more residents back online," Rilling said. "If state lawmakers need a model of well-run and effective power companies, I invite them to look no further than SNEW and TTD – the best in the region."

This is from Rilling's announcement:

In addition to seeking participation in the state’s investigation into the Tropical Storm Isaias, which allows for the City to officially submit testimony, present arguments, and cross-examine witnesses, the City is also asking PURA to impose sanctions and/or civil penalties on Eversource. PURA will review the company’s implementation of their emergency response plans filed in accordance with Conn. Gen. Stat. § 16-32e and assess whether they complied with the standards for emergency preparation and restoration of service established in accordance with Conn. Gen. Stat. § 16-32h. The City of Norwalk states in the legal motion filed August 25 that “given Eversource’s unacceptable response to Isaias, the City urges the Authority as part of this Investigation to impose sanctions” and “for the health and safety of residents of the State of
Connecticut, the City requests the Authority to penalize Eversource accordingly.”

Numerous municipalities, including the cities of Bridgeport and Danbury, and the towns of Easton, New Canaan, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, Westport and Weston, have joined the City of Norwalk to become a participant in these investigations.