State Capitol Update for the Week of August 3

August 7, 2020

We have been hit with yet another serious set of challenges this week, with massive power and connectivity outages caused by Tropical Storm Isaias hitting our area hard: as of this morning, five towns in the district were still more than 80% without power.  Information changes hourly, with significant restorations in both North Canaan and Falls Village yesterday, but some backsliding and loss of cell and internet service in other towns.  Some critical institutions, like Sharon Hospital and towns halls, have had power restored, while others, from schools to sewer systems, are still operating on generators which bring their own set of risks. 

The storm response from Eversource, the state’s largest energy company, has been abysmal and unacceptable. The level of unpreparedness, lack of communication and responsiveness have made it impossible for town officials, emergency services, and road crews to plan or respond adequately and reach people in need.  Customers in Cornwall got an email promising trucks were in the area and that service would be restored last night: neither was true.  A local fire chief shared his frustrations with me this morning: “I can take bad news, just please give me the facts so that I can plan.” 
 
I join Governor Lamont, Attorney General Tong, and my colleagues in calling for an immediate investigation into Eversource on their preparation and response to this storm. Since major storms in 2011 and 2012, ratepayers have spent millions to strengthen the electric grid and improve communications systems, which all failed during the storm. With some of the highest energy rates in the continental US, our constituents and ratepayers deserve better, and Eversource executives must be held accountable.
 
This afternoon we had a call with the Legislative Unified Command, on which legislators had the opportunity to hear directly from the utilities. Following that call, I have a prediction for Eversource that might help them prepare for the future: expect hearings, covering both the recent rate hike and the current storm response, followed by significant legislation as early as the September special session.
 
What’s next
 
Currently, Eversource predicts restoration will be "substantially complete" by Tuesday at 11:59 pm, and they committed on our call to town-specific predictions by the end of the day today.
 
Residents still without power can find helpful information below:

Local resources   
 
On the positive side, our towns have done what they always do.  Town road crews, EMS, fire service, police, local business and countless volunteers have responded with energy, generosity, and skill.  This list is constantly expanding, but towns have set up charging stations and/or water at the following locations:
 

  • Cornwall: Library (charging); Camp Mohawk (hot showers, 5:30-7:30 am and pm); and Cornwall Country Market (water); Foote Field
  • Goshen Town Hall (charging and water)
  • Kent: Town Hall and Welcome Center
  • Norfolk Town Hall
  • North Canaan Town Hall (charging)
  • Salisbury: La Bonne’s Marketplace
  • Sharon Firehouse
  • Torrington Town Hall (charging)

 
Here’s a list of today’s topics:

  • Governor Lamont requests investigation of utilities amid widespread outages from Tropic Storm Isaias
  •  Additional Coronavirus relief funding to assist school districts
  • Election grants for towns
  • State and federal states of emergency declared for Connecticut

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.
 
Governor Lamont requests investigation of utilities amid widespread outages from Tropic Storm Isaias
 
Governor Ned Lamont announced that he is requesting the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to conduct a thorough investigation of the state’s public utility companies, including Eversource and United Illuminating, amid widespread outages caused by Tropical Storm Isaias that have left hundreds of thousands of customers without power.  As of this morning, five towns in the 64th District were over 80% without power.
 
The companies’ response to the storm has been wholly inadequate and does not meet the obligations for the critical resources they are responsible for providing on behalf of Connecticut residents. The investigation will include what specific steps the companies took in the lead up to Tropical Storm Isaias, which had been forecast to impact Connecticut several days prior to making landfall and remained relatively on the track that meteorologists had predicted.
 
Connecticut has experienced largescale outages before – certainly many of us have been having flashbacks to the storm in October 2011.  In the wake of these we were told that the utilities were improving their resources so as to be better prepared for the next inevitable storm. And yet we are experiencing a wholly inadequate response.  The investigation will delve into whether the companies are meeting their legal obligations and whether any penalties need to be applied.
 
Governor Lamont is asking PURA to:
 

  1. Consider whether the utilities were adequately prepared and have the resources they need to respond to significant weather events;
  2. Evaluate their response and whether it met regulatory and statutory requirements;
  3. Determine whether resources that were invested into their outage response system was prudent in light of the recent system failures; and
  4. Determine whether civil penalties should be applied.

Additional Coronavirus relief funding to assist school districts
 
Governor Ned Lamont announced the State of Connecticut is making available an additional $160 million in funding for school districts to safely reopen, assist them with costs associated with responding to COVID-19, and support local operations for the 2020-21 academic year.
 
The Coronavirus Relief Funds will complement the $15 million already committed from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER) and $111 million from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funds, bringing the total funding for Connecticut schools to $266 million – one of the largest PK-12 state funding plans per-student in the country. Click here for more information.
 
Election Grants for Towns
 
The Office of the Secretary of the State has finalized guidelines for two grants to towns:  Safe Polls Grants and Secure Polls Grants.  Some information about each grant:

  • Safe Polls Grants:  All 169 municipalities have qualified for these funds by virtue of activities already performed, including submitting their Safe Polls Plan to our office.  Checks will begin to be issued this week for towns that have submitted the paperwork.
  • Secure Polls Grants:  All 169 towns are eligible for this additional grant upon completion of two activities:  
    • Participate in a Cybersecurity Assessment conducted by the Connecticut National Guard
    • All Registrars of Voters and Town Clerks complete Security Mentor Training

State and federal states of emergency declared for Connecticut
 
Governor Ned Lamont announced on Wednesday that he had proclaimed a civil preparedness emergency – also known as a state of emergency – in response to the widespread power outages caused by the impact of Tropical Storm Isaias on the State of Connecticut. The declaration authorizes the governor to order certain actions that will help expedite the response.
 
This morning, the federal government approved a presidential emergency declaration.  This was requested by Governor Lamont, and allows the state to request direct federal assistance to help in the aftermath of the storm.
 
**Download: Governor Lamont’s Declaration of Civil Preparedness Emergency
 
 
Governor Lamont encourages residents to sign up for the state’s CTAlert notification system
 
Governor Lamont is encouraging Connecticut residents to sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system, which provides text message notifications to users. To subscribe, text the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.
 
Providing information to Connecticut residents
 
For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus.
 

Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can also call 2-1-1 for assistance. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Relay services can be accessed by calling 7-1-1. Anyone who is out-of-state or using Relay can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 toll free by dialing 1-800-203-1234. The hotline is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms is strongly urged to contact their medical provider.