Vernon Officials Demand Isaias Cost Reimbursement From Eversource

VERNON, CT — Vernon officials Friday sent a letter to Eversource Energy Chief Executive Officer James Judge demanding reimbursement for "costs incurred due to Eversource's failed response to Tropical Storm Isaias."

The letter, dated Friday, cites $84,000 out of a total municipal storm bill of $140,000.

Eversource spokesman Mitch Gross said the company is looking into the letter, but added he could not immediately comment on it. The letter was just received Friday afternoon, he said.

Here is the transcript of the letter:

"Dear Mr. Judge:

"Like many towns across Connecticut, the Town of Vernon is recovering from the damage brought by Tropical Storm Isaias and is assessing Eversource’s response in the aftermath of the storm. Vernon suffered a devastating number of customer power outages and downed electrical wires which forced the closure of many roads.

"Eversource was ill-prepared for Tropical Storm Isaias and it showed with thousands of Vernon residents waiting several days to get their power restored and no sign of Eversource crews to clear downed wires from roads and restore critical circuits. While Tropical Storm Isaias caused significant damage, the acts and omissions of Eversource compounded the problem.

"Eversource failed to supply power line repair and clearing crews as promised. Eversource neglected to follow previously agreed upon and fundamental emergency response protocols and did not effectively coordinate its response with municipalities. Eversource was unable to communicate and disseminate critical information to its municipal partners. During the storm, Eversource’s power outage hotline went down causing 911 dispatch centers to become overwhelmed with calls. Eversource failed in virtually every aspect of its response to the storm. It was an inexcusable lack of planning and effort given that Eversource had just dramatically increased the rates it charges customers.

"The health and safety of Vernon residents is placed at risk during extended power outages. This is especially true for our most vulnerable residents and our medical facilities that rely on life-sustaining and life-saving electrical power provided by your company. Extended outages also cause damage to property and force businesses to close. It is extremely important that Vernon be in a position to communicate accurate information to its residents and businesses and work with Eversource to restore power and minimize injury to persons and damage to property. This did not happen in the days following Tropical Storm Isaias and as such, Vernon incurred significant costs that would have been avoided had a prompt and coordinated effort been made by Eversource.

"The Town of Vernon sustained significant monetary damages directly attributable to Eversource’s lack of preparedness and inability to adequately respond to power outages and downed electrical wires. The cost to Vernon taxpayers for the local municipal response to Tropical Storm Isaias in labor, equipment usage and other services currently exceeds $140,000.00. It is justly estimated that 60% or $84,000.00 of these costs could have been avoided had Eversource restored the power outages and repaired downed electrical wires in a timely and efficient manner.
While the power is back on in Vernon, we are still in the dark on how this epic failure on Eversource's part will be corrected and prevented from happening again. It will be a long and difficult road for Eversource to travel to regain the trust and confidence of the communities and customers that it serves.

"Eversource can begin this process by making restitution for damages that it caused.

"Demand is made on behalf of the taxpayers of the Town of Vernon that Eversource reimburse the
municipality the sum of $84,000.00. Please send a check for this sum payable to the Town of Vernon."