Lesser Questions Cable, Utility Companies' Response to Irene

State Rep. Matt Lesser (D-Durham/Middlefield/Middletown) has called for a special legislative hearing on the response by Connecticut utility companies in the wake of Hurricane Irene.

“There has been a huge effort on the local level to get things cleaned up, restore services and return to normal,” said Lesser. “Many things were done right in responding to this storm. We need to sit down and assess what went well, what were the deficiencies and what can be done better for the next big storm.”

Rep. Lesser has written to the co-chairs of the Legislature’s Energy & Technology Committee calling for a public hearing to discuss the matter. The committee, which has oversight of the Department of Utility Control and utility companies, would hear testimony from electric, cable, telephone and internet providers as well as the public.

"The public is deeply concerned about the response and I am, too,” said Lesser. “We need to hear from the cable companies, the electric companies and the phone companies. What went wrong and what are we going do about it?"

The letter was sent on Tuesday. In his letter, Lesser cited specific concerns about unregulated industries like cable and a reduction in CL&P line crew numbers.

“The time has come for us get a better understanding of the response to this storm, ask critical questions of what actions were taken and why,” Lesser said.

For information on recovery efforts, see www.ct.gov/irene.

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