Updated: Scribner Asks AG to Investigate CL&P Response

State Rep. David Scribner voiced outrage Thursday with Connecticut Light and Power’s (CL&P) response to loss of power to the majority of Brookfield residents due to Hurricane Irene and along with other colleagues is asking for the Attorney General for an in-depth in depth investigation of CL&P and their performance during the hurricane recovery.

As of today, Brookfield residents are being informed by CL&P that their power will not be restored until September 8. Brookfield residents have been without power since August 28.

“Many Brookfield citizens experienced power outages. As of this afternoon, I continue to receive a great number of complaints from citizens in the Western part of Connecticut, expressing their dissatisfaction with the length of time it is taking to restore power to their homes. Not only is it inconvenient to be without power for an extended period of time, as a vast majority of residents rely upon individual artisan wells for water supply, and electric powered pumps to operate them, it becomes a sanitary and health issue as well,” said Rep. Scribner.

“There is no excuse or reason why residents should be out of power for 12 days! There are hundreds of vulnerable residents, including our senior population, children, physically challenged, and those with minimal financial resources, who are dramatically affected by the duration of this outage.

“I need to remind no one, rate payers in the state of Connecticut pay the highest rates for their utility service on the mainland United States. They have the right to expect every resource be maximized to restore their service,” he concluded.

Below is a letter Scribner sent to Attorney General George Jepsen and Gov. Dannel Malloy:

Dear Attorney General Jepsen,

As you are aware, in the early morning hours of August 28, Hurricane Irene unleashed her destruction throughout the State of Connecticut. As a result, many citizens experienced power outages.  As of this afternoon, I continue to receive a great number of complaints from citizens in the Western part of Connecticut, expressing their dissatisfaction with the length of time it is taking to restore power to their homes. Not only is it inconvenient to be without power for an extended period of time, as a vast majority of residents rely upon individual artisan wells for water supply, and electric powered pumps to operate them, it becomes a sanitary and health issue as well. As a resident of Brookfield, I can say, I have seen very little service response from Connecticut Light and Power in my area.

One of our public schools has been affected in Brookfield and as a result, the school district has already lost two days of their school calendar before school has even opened. This is causing a great deal of anxiety and frustration for parents and school aged children.

As of today, Brookfield residents are being informed that their power will not be restored until September 8. There is no excuse or reason why residents should be out of power for 12 days! I am respectfully requesting that you launch an in-depth investigation of CL&P and their performance during the hurricane recovery.

There are hundreds of vulnerable residents, including our senior population, children, physically challenged, and those with minimal financial resources, who are dramatically affected by the duration of this outage.

Under these extraordinary circumstances, it requires and justifies extraordinary recourses, commitment, and leadership to responsibly and expeditiously, resolve. If that requires temporary adjustments to overtime policy for utility workers, so be it. Rate payers in the State of Connecticut pay the highest rates for their utility service on the mainland of this country. They have the right to expect every resource be maximized to restore their service. I implore you to do all within your authority to affect an increase in productive restoration.

Sincerely,

David A. Scribner 
State Representative, 107th District 
Brookfield, Bethel

Cc: Governor Malloy