Windsor State Representative Pushes for CL&P Customer Rebates

While House Speaker Christopher Donovan proposed legislation earlier this week that would fine utility companies 2.5 percent of their transmission and distribution revenues in the event of failure to provide adequate service to their customers, State Representative David Baram, D — Windsor, Bloomfield, went a step further in the call for accountability on Thursday, proposing that customers receive a portion of the fined amount.

Legislators' calls for accountability on behalf of utility companies comes during unprecedented power outages caused by Saturday's early snowfall, and the hundreds of thousands of households and businesses that remain without power a week later.

"Lives have not only been disrupted but also put at risk because of the way utility companies have handled these emergencies,” said Baram, a resident of Bloomfield, which was reported to be 84 percent without power on Friday morning, day seven without power for many.

While Baram said that he endorses Donovan's call for tougher penalties in the event of utilities' failure to meet standards, he added, "we need to go much farther and directly compensate the people who have suffered financial damages as a result of utility companies failing to live up to reasonable expectations."

"I’m proposing that a portion of the fine be allocated to reimburse ratepayers a certain percentage of their bill to help offset costs incurred in lost food, medical assistance, alternative housing and removal and repair of damage to property. Perhaps a rebate or credit back to homeowner on their utility bill," Baram told fellow legislators Thursday.
He also called for the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to take a tougher stance on protecting consumers.

Baram also added that he is upset with CL&P's performance and service to customers in Windsor and Bloomfield, noting that "only two crews were in Bloomfield on Wednesday, but they were diverted to Simsbury ... contrary to representations that 15 CL&P crews were being assigned to Bloomfield that day," according to the House Democrats Office.

Baram intends to submit legislation that requires monetary compensation to consumers in addition to the requirement that utilities submit emergency plans in an annual basis, which will include the number of contracted crew members and aid agreements with companies from other states and countries.

Along with the agreements with out-of-state and foreign companies, Baram proposed legislation would require that those aid companies be paid by the Connecticut utility within 30 days of service provided.