Eversource Vastly Underestimated Power Outages: Report

CONNECTICUT — Eversource woefully underestimated the number of power outages from Tropical Storm Isaias, according to documents filed with the state’s energy regulatory body.

Eversource prepared for a "level 4" event, which is between 125,000 and 380,000 outages for two to six days, according to the CT News Junkie. Those outages require 500 to 1,600 line crews.

Eversource had around 528,000 customers without power Thursday, two days after the storm hit; so far it has restored power to 332,000 customers. Eversource should have had 1,500 to 2,500 line crews to respond to the storm, said Marissa Gillett, chairwoman of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.

Eversource had 450 line crews active Wednesday, along with 250 tree crews, according to Craig Hallstrom, president of electric operations for the company. Eversource planned to double the number of crews by the end of Thursday and continued to bring in more out-of-state crews.

Eversource planned to provide restoration estimates for the majority of customers later Thursday, the company said in a statement.

"The impact from this storm and its widespread damage can’t be overstated," Hallstrom said. "We’ve made good progress repairing incredible damage across our service territory. We have hundreds of crews spread out across the state addressing more than 10,000 damage locations and working to rebuild the electric system."

Regulators were less than enthused with Eversource's response.

"Since moving to Connecticut last year to take the helm of PURA, I’ve heard the utilities tout significant investments in grid hardening and vegetation management made at the ratepayers’ expense over the past decade," Gillett said. "Frankly, I am deeply disappointed in seeing this play out in real time. Utilities are in the business of delivering reliable service, and the public should know that I’m not interested in their excuses."

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She also said there has been a significant failure in communication from Eversource.

UI on the other hand correctly projected the number of outages, according to the CT Mirror. The company prepared for 30 to 50 percent of customers without power for five days or more. Around 23 percent of UI customers were without power Thursday morning.

PURA opened an investigation into Eversource and UI’s response to the storm after Gov. Ned Lamont called for one Wednesday. Lamont questioned Eversource’s preparation and pondered why the utility company didn’t better prepare for the storm/ He met with Eversource executives Wednesday and said he wished he heard a greater sense of urgency from them.

See also: CT Power Outages Town-By-Town: 592,000 Without Power

Patch Readers Share Tropical Storm Isaias Storm Damage Photos

When Will Power Be Back In CT? Power Restoration Estimates

Local leaders expressed great frustration with Eversource’s response. Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton was critical of Eversource’s CEO and the recent transmission fee hike.

CEO of @EversourceCT makes.. Drum roll please... $19 million dollars a year. What could he possibly do so well for that kind of money?? Clearly he and his team can't keep the lights on, or plan for a storm, or work to keep rates down.. #absurd
— Mayor Mark Boughton (@MayorMark) August 6, 2020