CT Regulators Cite Eversource's 'Insufficient' Isaias Response

CONNECTICUT — The state's Public Utility Regulatory Authority has concluded that the response of power utility Eversource to Tropical Storm Isaias did not meet the "standards of acceptable performance."

The agency cited communications system problems, "insufficient external resources in the first 48 hours of the event," and poor coordination with municipal government among the company's failures. PURA released the 111-page draft decision Friday. The regulators "will consider fines and penalties," according to the document.

Gov. Ned Lamont declared a state of emergency after Isaias left a path of destruction through the state Aug. 4. More than 700,000 electric customers lost their power, and ten days later, many Connecticut towns were still in the dark.

In delivering its decision, PURA reserved its sharpest criticism and censure for Eversource, finding that rival utility United Illuminating had "generally met standards of acceptable performance in its preparation and response" to the storm.

On Twitter, an Eversource spokesperson disagreed with the power regulatory agency's findings:

We take exception to some conclusions made in @CT_PURA’s draft decision today. Despite the forecast for Isaias changing drastically as the storm arrived, we were well prepared & mobilized 1000s of crews to restore power as quickly as possible, while following Covid protocols.
— Eversource CT (@EversourceCT) March 20, 2021

Connecticut lawmakers took to the microblogging platform Saturday to express their satisfaction with PURA's move. The 26th District's state Sen. Will Haskell tweeted, "We empower regulatory bodies like PURA for this exact purpose: to punish public utilities for dangerous and unsafe performance. Eversource should hear the voices of regulators, state officials, and customers and place them above their shareholders."

PURA will release their final decision, along with any fines and penalties, in April, after Eversource has had an opportunity to comment formally.