Storm report should be impetus for change
Last Updated on Wednesday, 25 January 2012 13:14
Written by Editorial Staff
Wednesday, 25 January 2012 12:50
Just a few months ago, thousands of Connecticut residents were still immersed in a nightmarish power outage that kept them in the dark and in the cold for up to 12 days following the unprecedented “Halloween” nor’easter. The storm dumped heavy snow on tree limbs that snapped, bringing down power lines and large transmission lines.
The lengthy power outages after that storm darkened many municipalities for days. Those outages, combined with the widespread and days-long outages caused by Hurricane Irene in August, prompted Gov. Dannel Malloy to initiate reviews of the preparedness and response of the power companies, the state and municipalities.
Each storm knocked out power to more than 800,000 utility customers, and it took as long as nine to12 days to restore power in some cases following the October storm.
The report issued in December by Witt Associates concluded that Connecticut Light & Power wasn’t prepared for the nor’easter, misjudged the worst-case scenario in its emergency response plan and miscommunicated the power restoration goal.
Earlier this month, the Two Storm Panel released its report, outlining 82 recommendations.
They include developing performance standards for utility recovery and restoration linked to recoverable costs; changing engineering standards to accommodate predicted increases in storm surges because of climate change; “hardening” infrastructure to withstand natural disasters; and more collaboration among municipalities, the state, electric utilities, and telecommunications companies with respect to tree trimming.
A lot of hard work went into the report, which was based on testimony provided at nine public hearings. It is not a document that should be skimmed and shelved. Instead, it should be the impetus for action and change.
As the weeks pass and memory softens, people should not forgot the hardship Connecticut residents endured after both storms. People couldn’t heat their homes, cook their meals, drink their water, or take showers. People on medical support systems at home temporarily lost those services. Schools couldn’t open, food rotted in refrigerators, and residents’ faith in the power companies dwindled as the days passed.
Legislators and state officials shouldn’t forget either, as they use the recommendations of both the Witt report and the Two Storm Panel to draft legislation and initiatives to improve the response of the utilities, and of local and state government, in the wake of Mother Nature’s fury.
Especially significant is the recommendation to create a state enforcement division to investigate potential violations of compliance and negotiate administrative penalties with violators. Legislators should move quickly and assertively during the upcoming session to draw up workable legislative solutions for timely power restoration.
Utility companies must never leave residents in the dark again for so long, and local municipalities must be better prepared to deal with natural disasters.
It is hoped that the recommendations and subsequent legislation will allow all utility companies to improve their preparedness and, in turn, ensure the safety of Connecticut residents.
| < Prev |
|---|
Special Sections
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Bottom content
Hersam Acorn Newspapers
Additional content