Storm Bill Clears House on Unanimous Vote

By Daniela Altimari On May 9, 2012 · Leave a Comment

As the 2012 legislative session wound down Wednesday evening, the Connecticut House of Representatives gave final legislative approval to a bill that aims to reduce the likelihood of prolonged power outages–and soften blows of those that do occur

The sweeping measure “is one of the best things we’ve done this session,” announced Rep. Laura Hoydick, R-Startford and the ranking member of the legislature’s energy and technology committee.

The bill cleared the Senate on Saturday; the votes in both chambers were unanimous. It now goes to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, who introduced many of the ideas contained within the proposal.

“We can’t know exactly what emergency is coming next, but we can learn from past experience and improve,” Malloy said in a statement sent as the final tally in the House was being announced. ”I look forward to signing this bill after it is transmitted to my office and thank the General Assembly for their votes.”

The legislation comes in response to a pair of storms that swept through the state last year. Hurricane Irene struck in late August, causing about 700,000 households and businesses to lose power for up to two weeks. Then, in late October, a winter storm plunged more than 800,000 electric utility customers into darkness, some for as long as 10 days.

The measure would establish a system of performance standards for power companies. If they fail to meet certain benchmarks for the restoration of service, they could face stiff financial penalties—up to 2.5 percent of an electric or gas company’s annual distribution revenue. For Connecticut Light & Power, the state’s largest electric utility, that’s approximately $25 million.

The bill would also set up a $15 million pilot program for an electrical micro-grid. These regional, small-scale power systems can run independently of the larger electricity distribution system and could power clusters of prisons or hospitals, for example, during a prolonged power outage in a larger area of the state.

And the bill would direct state regulators to establish standards for everything from utility company staffing levels to tree-trimming policies to the number of cell phone towers with back-up battery power.

“With these changes, we will institute tougher standards for utility companies and improve communication and training for state and local officials,” Malloy said. “We will also make necessary investments at the local level in new technology like microgrids, allowing our state to embrace a 21^st Century solution to an age old problem.”

Vickie Nardello, co-chair of the energy committee, said “hardening” the electrical distribution system is a key component of the bill. “W are expecting them to look at that system and make it more resilient for the next storm,” she said.

Nardello acknowledged that there’s no way to eliminate future outages, no matter how well prepared the state is. “It’s always a balance,” she said.