HETHERINGTON JOINS RELL IN CALL FOR OFFICIAL INQUIRY INTO UTILITY PERFORMANCE

NEW CANAAN- State Representative John Hetherington (R-125) has joined Governor Jodi Rell in asking the CT Department of Public Utility Control and the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security to examine the actions of CL&P in responding to the power outages resulting from the storm that struck southwest Connecticut over the weekend of March 13 and 14. He asked specifically that hearings be held locally to accommodate citizens in the towns that were most severely impacted.

“We pay the highest electric utility rates in the U.S. and what our people experienced is just unacceptable at any price,” Hetherington said. “We need real answers delivered in person.”

Acknowledging that even a vigorous investigation is small satisfaction to residents who went without lights, water and refrigeration for days, the legislator emphasized that there has to be accountability and credible assurance that we won’t see a repeat performance. While critical of CL&P, Representative Hetherington praised local officials “for literally protecting lives and avoiding a far worse situation.”