Regulators seek input from customers as they investigate utilities’ storm response

Eversource, United Illuminating under scrutiny after Isaias

After hearing from utility executives and elected officials, state regulators are now asking customers to weigh in on how they believe Eversource Energy and United Illuminating prepared for, and responded to, Tropical Storm Isaias in August.

The Public Utilities

Regulatory Authority has scheduled public hearings for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to hear about the impact of outages that left nearly 1 million customers without electricity for as many as nine days.

Consumers will likely talk about food spoilage and medicine that could no longer be used, about nonfunctioning air conditioning and other inconveniences that, for the aged and sick, were hardships.

Eversource and United Illuminating met with PURA’s three commissioners in late August and defended the utilities’ response to a stormtheysaid was among the biggest ever to hit Connecticut. Federal and state elected officials also weighed in, calling for legislation to more tightly regulate the utilities.

State lawmakers voted overwhelmingly Sept. 30 to enact legislation establishing performance-based rate-making for electric utilities.

Regulators launched their investigation Aug. 14 into the two utilities’ preparation for Isaias and the response following the storm. PURA said it will consider civil penalties and enforcement actions.

Registration information for the online public comment hearings is available at PURA’s calendar of events. Customers who need help registering or require additional information should contact the state Office of Consumer Counsel at 860-827-2900 or occ.info@ct.gov.