Newtown Seeks ‘Intervenor’ Status Against CL&P

By John Voket

Newtown is joining the towns of Redding, Ridgefield, and Wilton in seeking an “intervenor status” designation from the state utilities regulatory agency (PURA) as the authority proceeds forward examining the response by Connecticut Light and Power and other public service companies following a rogue snowstorm that disabled Newtown and much of the state in late October.

The complaint also refers to service company responses following a tropical storm that hit Connecticut in late August, which also caused prolonged power and service outages.

First Selectman Pat Llodra said in joining with the other towns, her primary goal was to see the regulatory agency hold service companies responsible for lagging response that prolonged the period when local residents were at risk because of impassable roads that in some cases delayed or would have prevented emergency vehicle response.

In Newtown, there were several instances where homes, and parts of entire neighborhoods, were inaccessible for days, or where responders or residents would have been put at great risk trying to enter or exit homes because of downed trees and wires.

According to part of the request, which was obtained by The Bee, “The impact of the storms and CL&P’s inadequate response to them had a substantial effect on the health and safety of the towns’ residents, and paralyzed the towns’ ability to provide required, timely, and necessary services to their citizens, including emergency services.”

The request goes on to say that the towns are unified in holding “grave concerns” about CL&P’s inadequate staffing and resources following the storms.

“Simply put, the towns will no longer tolerate CL&P’s substandard performance and preparation, and require significant and immediate improvement.”

Mrs Llodra said if the towns are granted this intervenor status, it will put the town “on the docket” and supports PURA commissioners requesting both short- and long-term response requirements.